Plumber Salary · Updated May 2026

Plumber salary in California

The median plumber salary in California is $72,830 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 14% above the national median of $63,800. Most plumbers in California earn between $47,350 and $131,100, and the state ranks #17 of 51 for plumber pay.

Median

$72,830

Entry (10th)

$47,350

Top (90th)

$131,100

State rank

#17/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

California vs. the national average

PercentileCaliforniaNational
10th percentile (entry)$47,350$44,150
Median (50th)$72,830$63,800
90th percentile (top)$131,100$108,420

For context, the highest-paying state for plumbers is District of Columbia ($101,020 median) and the lowest is Arkansas ($48,660).

Licensing & taxes for plumbers

Most states license plumbers at journeyman and master levels through documented experience hours and an exam. Reciprocity is limited — fewer states recognize out-of-state plumbing licenses than electrical ones — and a few states license only at the local level.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the plumber salary & licensing guide.

Plumber pay in California: FAQ

How much does a plumber make in California?
The median plumber salary in California is $72,830 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 14% above the national median of $63,800. Most plumbers in the state earn between $47,350 and $131,100.
What is the starting salary for plumbers in California?
Entry-level plumbers in California — the bottom 10% — earn around $47,350 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top plumbers earn in California?
The highest-paid 10% of plumbers in California make about $131,100 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does California pay plumbers well?
California ranks #17 of 51 states and D.C. for plumber pay, making it one of the higher-paying states for the trade. Its median of $72,830 is 14% above the U.S. median of $63,800.

Other trades in California

Electrician salary in California $76,160 HVAC Technician salary in California $72,560 Carpenter salary in California $75,920 Roofer salary in California $63,600 Painter salary in California $59,020

Compare plumbers pay in every state

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 New Jersey $78,240 Hawaii $78,060 New York $77,490 Connecticut $77,280 Rhode Island $76,470 Indiana $76,320 Pennsylvania $68,080 New Hampshire $66,810 Missouri $66,790 Maryland $65,400 Kansas $65,220 Delaware $64,720 Kentucky $64,160 Maine $64,000 Iowa $63,890 Louisiana $63,680 North Dakota $63,560 Ohio $63,330 Colorado $63,240 Wyoming $62,410 Vermont $62,170 Arizona $62,070 Utah $61,900 Nevada $61,610 New Mexico $61,440 Nebraska $60,970 Virginia $60,470 Texas $59,840 Alabama $58,670 Tennessee $58,600 Oklahoma $57,970 Georgia $57,200 North Carolina $57,080 West Virginia $56,980 Mississippi $55,480 South Carolina $53,940 Florida $52,910 Idaho $52,380 South Dakota $51,620 Arkansas $48,660

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 47-2152). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all plumbers by state or trade salaries by state.