Quick answer: The median plumber in California earns $35.01/hr — about $72,830 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $131,000+. To hire one, a plumbing business typically bills $75–$105 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit — and more in higher-cost metros like San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara.
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 | ~$47,341 |
| Median (typical) | $35.01 | ~$6,069 | $72,830 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $63.03 | ~$10,925 | ~$131,102 |
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 worker'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 — in the upper tier nationally:
| 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 |
| Fresno | $30.96/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $30.73/hr | $70–$90/hr |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for plumbers, reflecting local 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–$925 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $150–$400 |
| Water heater replacement | $1,300–$2,850 installed |
| Whole-home repipe | $4,000–$12,000+ |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How plumbers compare to other trades in California
Here's how plumber pay lines up against 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 plumber estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do plumbers need a license in California?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See California contractor & trade licensing to check whether plumbers need a state license in California, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do plumbers make in California?
The median plumber in California earns about $72,830 a year ($35.01/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level plumbers earn around $47,000 and the most experienced earn $131,000 or more.
Can a plumber make $100,000 a year in California?
Yes — experienced plumbers in California can. The top 10% earn about $131,000 a year, above $100,000. Running your own plumbing business and billing $75–$105/hr can push earnings higher still.
How much do plumbers charge per hour in California?
In 2025, most California plumbers bill $75–$105 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $35/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
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-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, at a $51.71/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for plumbers.
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. Updated August 2026.