Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in California (2024)
The median plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary in California is $68,390/year, based on May 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). That is 8.6% above the national median of $62,970.
Wage table
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual mean | $78,350 |
| Annual median | $68,390 |
| 10th percentile | $45,480 |
| 25th percentile | $57,090 |
| 75th percentile | $95,320 |
| 90th percentile | $126,790 |
| Hourly median | $32.88/hr |
| Employment (state) | 45,460 |
What the numbers mean
The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is wide: the highest-paid 10% of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California earn about 2.8× what the lowest-paid 10% earn. That spread usually reflects differences in experience, employer type, and local cost of living within the state — the median is a more representative figure than the mean for a "typical" salary, since a small number of very high earners can pull the mean upward.
Higher-paying states for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
See the full Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary by state ranking for all 54 states with available data.
Other occupations in California
Median annual salary for other tracked occupations in California, May 2024 OEWS.
- Software Developers: $170,910
- Registered Nurses: $140,330
- General and Operations Managers: $125,240
- Dental Hygienists: $121,080
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: $115,400
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: $98,190
- Accountants and Auditors: $96,360
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: $77,170
- Electricians: $76,540
- Carpenters: $74,820
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: $65,290
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics: $63,370
- Construction Laborers: $60,540
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: $59,950
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: $57,940
- Medical Assistants: $48,050
- Nursing Assistants: $46,420
Frequently asked questions
Is plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters pay in California above the national average?
The median plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary in California is $68,390/year, which is 8.6% above the national median of $62,970/year (May 2024 BLS OEWS data).
What is the median plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters salary in California?
$68,390/year, based on May 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
How much do the highest-paid plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California earn?
The 90th percentile plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California earns $126,790/year or more, compared to $45,480/year or less for the 10th percentile.
Which states pay plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters more than California?
Connecticut pays more ($73,080/year median), along with 3 other states listed below.