Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in California
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in California earn a median of $72,830 a year ($35.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 47,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,100 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $63,800. California ranks 17th of 51 states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters pay. There are 2.6 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,350 | $22.76 |
| 25th percentile | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| Median | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| 75th percentile | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,100 | $63.03 |
| Average (mean) | $82,320 | $39.58 |
Half of 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 | $6,069.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,034.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,801.15 |
| Weekly | $1,400.58 |
| Hourly | $35.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $107,560 | 3,830 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $77,880 | 5,660 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $72,510 | 5,100 |
| Vallejo, CA | $71,560 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $71,110 | 15,690 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $68,130 | 350 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $66,450 | 960 |
| Napa, CA | $65,420 | 150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $65,210 | 3,120 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $64,700 | 560 |
| Salinas, CA | $64,440 | 320 |
| Fresno, CA | $64,400 | 970 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,920 | 4,510 |
| Modesto, CA | $63,280 | 470 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $63,090 | 320 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $62,900 | 690 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $62,860 | 110 |
| El Centro, CA | $62,390 | 150 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $62,300 | 1,230 |
| Redding, CA | $61,300 | 200 |
| Yuba City, CA | $61,120 | 100 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $61,000 | 740 |
| Chico, CA | $60,730 | 180 |
| Visalia, CA | $60,720 | 460 |
| Merced, CA | $60,230 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,020 |
| Illinois | $99,950 |
| Oregon | $97,050 |
| Minnesota | $94,410 |
| Alaska | $93,920 |
| Massachusetts | $93,880 |
| Wisconsin | $81,210 |
| Washington | $81,030 |
| Michigan | $80,190 |
| Montana | $79,960 |
See Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| 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 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
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 47-2152. 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 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in California?
The median salary for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California is $72,830 a year, or $35.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters make in California?
The top 10% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California earn at least $131,100 a year. The top 25% earn $100,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,350 a year, and a quarter of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn $58,980 or less.
How many plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters work in California?
About 47,660 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.