Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in California
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in California earn a median of $47,130 a year ($22.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,370 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $42,360. California ranks 7th of 48 states for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters pay. There are 0.14 Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $49,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| 25th percentile | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| Median | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| 75th percentile | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Average (mean) | $49,080 | $23.59 |
Half of Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,927.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,963.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,812.69 |
| Weekly | $906.35 |
| Hourly | $22.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $63,210 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $51,350 | 430 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $46,940 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,780 | 640 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $46,010 | 100 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,190 | 70 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $40,300 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $39,080 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $56,140 |
| Hawaii | $52,000 |
| New York | $52,000 |
| Maine | $48,410 |
| Arizona | $47,990 |
| Alaska | $47,290 |
| California | $47,130 |
| Maryland | $46,170 |
| New Hampshire | $46,030 |
| Ohio | $45,760 |
See Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Helpers--Carpenters | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Helpers--Roofers | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-3015. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in California?
The median salary for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California is $47,130 a year, or $22.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in California?
The top 10% of Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California earn at least $62,370 a year. The top 25% earn $54,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,880 a year, and a quarter of Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn $41,070 or less.
How many Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in California?
About 2,500 Helpers--Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.