Plumber salary in California

Plumbers in California earn a median $72,830 a year. That's 14% above the national median, ranking California #16 of 50 states.

Median pay
$72,830
Median hourly
$35.01
Typical range
$47,350–$131,100
Jobs
47,660

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for plumbers in California
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$47,350$44,150
25th$58,980$50,190
Median$72,830$63,800
75th$100,200$85,110
90th (top earners)$131,100$108,420

Pay in California metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$71,11015,690

Compare other states

  1. –District of Columbia$101,020
  2. 1Illinois$99,950
  3. 2Oregon$97,050
  4. 3Minnesota$94,410
  5. 4Alaska$93,920
  6. 5Massachusetts$93,880
  7. 6Wisconsin$81,210
  8. 7Washington$81,030
  9. 8Michigan$80,190
  10. 9Montana$79,960
  11. 10New Jersey$78,240
  12. 11Hawaii$78,060
  13. 12New York$77,490
  14. 13Connecticut$77,280
  15. 14Rhode Island$76,470
  16. 15Indiana$76,320
  17. 16California$72,830
  18. 17Pennsylvania$68,080
  19. 18New Hampshire$66,810
  20. 19Missouri$66,790
  21. 20Maryland$65,400
  22. 21Kansas$65,220
  23. 22Delaware$64,720
  24. 23Kentucky$64,160
  25. 24Maine$64,000
  26. 25Iowa$63,890
  27. 26Louisiana$63,680
  28. 27North Dakota$63,560
  29. 28Ohio$63,330
  30. 29Colorado$63,240
  31. 30Wyoming$62,410
  32. 31Vermont$62,170
  33. 32Arizona$62,070
  34. 33Utah$61,900
  35. 34Nevada$61,610
  36. 35New Mexico$61,440
  37. 36Nebraska$60,970
  38. 37Virginia$60,470
  39. 38Texas$59,840
  40. 39Alabama$58,670
  41. 40Tennessee$58,600
  42. 41Oklahoma$57,970
  43. 42Georgia$57,200
  44. 43North Carolina$57,080
  45. 44West Virginia$56,980
  46. 45Mississippi$55,480
  47. 46South Carolina$53,940
  48. 47Florida$52,910
  49. 48Idaho$52,380
  50. 49South Dakota$51,620
  51. 50Arkansas$48,660
  52. –Puerto Rico$31,620

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in California.

Plumbing schools in CaliforniaHow to become a plumber

Frequently asked questions

How much do plumbers make in California?

The median pay for plumbers in California is $72,830 a year ($35.01 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,350, and the top 10% earn over $131,100.

Is California a good state for plumbers?

California ranks #16 of 50 states for median plumber pay, 14% above the national median of $63,800. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a plumber earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a plumber covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, SOC 47-2152). Figures exclude self-employed workers.