California Median
$72,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $63,800
State Rank
#17 of 51
47,660 employed here
How much do Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in California?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in California take home a median of $72,830 annually — roughly $35.01 an hour — which runs 14% above the national median of $63,800.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,350 while the top 10% make $131,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,980 and $100,200 a year.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,350 | $22.76 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,830 | $35.01 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,200 | $48.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,100 | $63.03 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in other states
District of Columbia $101,020Illinois $99,950Oregon $97,050Minnesota $94,410Alaska $93,920Massachusetts $93,880Wisconsin $81,210Washington $81,030Michigan $80,190Montana $79,960New Jersey $78,240Hawaii $78,060New York $77,490Connecticut $77,280Rhode Island $76,470Indiana $76,320Pennsylvania $68,080New Hampshire $66,810Missouri $66,790Maryland $65,400Kansas $65,220Delaware $64,720Kentucky $64,160Maine $64,000Iowa $63,890Louisiana $63,680North Dakota $63,560Ohio $63,330Colorado $63,240Wyoming $62,410Vermont $62,170Arizona $62,070Utah $61,900Nevada $61,610New Mexico $61,440Nebraska $60,970Virginia $60,470Texas $59,840Alabama $58,670Tennessee $58,600Oklahoma $57,970Georgia $57,200North Carolina $57,080West Virginia $56,980Mississippi $55,480South Carolina $53,940Florida $52,910Idaho $52,380South Dakota $51,620Arkansas $48,660
Working as Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in California
Nationally, about 466,000 people work as Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($72,830) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in California?
The median Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in California is $72,830 per year, or about $35.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,350 at the entry level to $131,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters about 14% more than the national median of $63,800. California ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $72,830 a year. About 47,660 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.