Quick answer: Plumbers in California typically bill $75–$105 per hour (2025), and often more in the Bay Area. The median plumber earns $35.01/hr ($72,830/year) per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data — a shop charges roughly 2–3× that to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what plumbers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how California compares to other states.
Plumber income in California (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for California's ~47,660 plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $22.76 | ~$3,945 | ~$47,340 |
| Median (typical) | $35.01 | ~$6,070 | $72,830 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $63.03 | ~$10,925 | ~$131,100 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a plumber takes home. What a plumbing business bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the technician's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median plumber wage (earned) | ~$35/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $75–$105/hr |
Where California ranks
California pays plumbers 14% above the national median, ranking 17th of 51 states — higher than about two-thirds of the country, but solidly upper-middle, not the top:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — District of Columbia | $48.57 |
| California (17th) | $35.01 |
| National median | $30.67 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.39 |
Plumber rates by California metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median plumber wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara | $51.71/hr | $115–$155/hr |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont | $37.44/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad | $34.86/hr | $75–$105/hr |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim | $34.19/hr | $75–$105/hr |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom | $31.35/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario | $30.73/hr | $70–$90/hr |
| Fresno | $30.96/hr | $70–$95/hr |
San Jose is one of the highest-paying metros in the country for plumbers, driven by Silicon Valley demand and cost of living.
What common plumbing jobs cost in California
At California billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical California range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $85–$150 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $150–$400 |
| Faucet or fixture replacement | $150–$350 + fixture |
| Toilet installation | $200–$450 + toilet |
| Garbage disposal install | $200–$450 |
| Leak detection & repair | $150–$600 |
| Sump pump replacement | $400–$900 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $150–$400 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,300–$2,800 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $4,000–$12,000+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in California
Plumbing pays in line with California's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $36.62/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Carpenter | $36.50/hr | $80–$110/hr |
| Plumber | $35.01/hr | $75–$105/hr |
| HVAC technician | $34.88/hr | $75–$105/hr |
| Roofer | $30.58/hr | $65–$90/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free plumbing estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Thinking about becoming a plumber?
If you're looking to enter the trade, licensing is the first step. See how to get a plumbing license for exam requirements, experience hours, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers charge per hour in California?
Most California plumbing shops bill $75–$105 per hour in 2025, and more in high-cost metros like San Jose and San Francisco. That rate covers the technician's wage (a $35/hr median) plus overhead and profit.
What is the average plumber salary in California?
The median plumber in California earns about $72,830 a year ($35.01/hr). Entry-level plumbers earn around $47,000 and the most experienced earn $131,000 or more.
Do plumbers earn more in California than nationally?
Yes — California's median plumber wage is about 14% above the national median of $30.67/hr, ranking 17th of 51 states.
Which California city pays plumbers the most?
San Jose, at a $51.71/hr median wage, is the highest-paying metro in the state, followed by San Francisco at $37.44/hr.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes.