Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,350
- 25th Percentile — Junior$58,980
- 50th Percentile — Median$72,830
- 75th Percentile — Senior$100,200
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$131,100
Half of Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters in California earn more than $72,830. The top 10% make $131,100 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,350.
Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 12th of 51 states for Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters pay, at $82,320 per year (14.1% above the U.S. average of $72,170).
- 47,660 people work as Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters in California — 10.2% of all U.S. Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,350; the top 10% earn over $131,100.
- Hourly equivalent: $39.58 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Oregon at $98,450.
- Among construction jobs in California, Construction and Building Inspectors pays the most ($103,850).
Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters here earn $82,320 on average, placing the state 12th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $82,320 is roughly equivalent to $57,972 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Minnesota ($86,700), Wisconsin ($84,720), New York ($83,790) are the closest alternatives for Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Construction and Building Inspectors $103,850/yr California +26.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $103,760/yr California +26.0% vs this role
- Pipelayers $94,440/yr California +14.7% vs this role
- Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators $94,000/yr California +14.2% vs this role
- Electricians $85,860/yr California +4.3% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $85,580/yr California +4.0% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $80,920/yr California 1.7% vs this role
- Carpenters $78,810/yr California 4.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters salary in California?
The average Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters salary in California is $82,320 per year (median $72,830), which is 14.1% above the national average of $72,170.
How does California rank for Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters pay?
California ranks 12th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Oregon ($98,450/yr).
How much do entry-level Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters in California earn about $47,350 per year and the 25th percentile is $58,980.
How much do Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters make per hour in California?
About $39.58 per hour, based on the $82,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters work in California?
BLS counts 47,660 Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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