Becoming a Plumber in California
Plumbers do far more than unclogging toilets, a plumber is a skilled, technical tradesperson who does everything from designing, installing, doing maintenance and repair on heating, water, gas, and various other plumbing systems to troubleshooting dangerous problems. Simply put, without plumbing our civilization couldn’t function, and plumbers are truly in-demand, essential workers throughout the world.
Requirements for Becoming a Plumber in California
Plumbers in California require an in-depth training process, beginning with an apprenticeship, progressing through to journeyman and then to master plumber. In California, this process is overseen by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). You’ll need to be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or a passing grade on the General Educational Development (GED) exam.
Apprentices need four years of practical experience working for a licensed master plumber to qualify to become a journeyman, demonstrating this by sharing a certificate of work experience with the CSLB. You must also pass examinations in trade and in applicable law and business. Journeymen can find work with licensed professional plumbers and can independently undertake jobs for $500 or less.
Master plumbers work for four years as a journeyman and then take a written exam covering business and legal skills and a practical demonstration of skills arranged with a CSLV proctor. A master plumber must be professionally insured for $10,000 and have $2,500 in working capital.
Plumbing Schools in California
Those interested in a career in plumbing have various trade schools from which to choose in California. Many of these schools are licensed by the CSLB, and offer a wide range of plumbing programs, from basic to journeyman level.
Reputable trade organizations are the best way to train. Each organization has local employers and training schools that it works with throughout the state.
The California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association maintains a list of training programs across the state. Apprenticeships take five years and entail 9,000 hours of paid work experience plus 1,800 hours of classroom training. Applications are taken on a rolling basis, and applicants must be 18 or over, physically fit to do the work and have a driver’s license. They must also pass an exam demonstrating basic reading and math skills.
The California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association maintains a list of training programs across the state. Apprenticeships take five years and entail 9,000 hours of paid work experience plus 1,800 hours of classroom training. Applications are taken on a rolling basis, and applicants must be 18 or over, physically fit to do the work and have a driver’s license. They must also pass an exam demonstrating basic reading and math skills.
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry has a robust apprenticeship program, administered by local branches from Bakersfield to Ventura. After learning basic aspects of the curriculum, apprentices can specialize in areas such as pipefitting and refrigeration. Like other training programs, this one lasts for five years and is paid.
Plumbing Apprenticeships in California
In most U.S. states, the plumbing industry is well-regulated. That includes the State of California. If you want to work as a plumber in California, you must follow a set of statewide guidelines. Among other things, those guidelines featurerules governing all would-be plumbing apprentices.
California’s Contractors State License Board is the agency responsible for guiding the plumbing apprenticeship process. The agency’s rules state that you must be at least 18 to work as an apprentice. You must also graduate from high school or get your GED.Before you can advance to the level of a skilled journeyman plumber, you must work as an apprentice for four years. The state will issue you a work experience certificate in recognition of your achievement.
What are your options for plumbing apprenticeships in California? One helpful resource is the California Apprentice Coordinators Association. This organization maintains a region-by-region list of paidapprenticeship programs offered by the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry. All UA programs last for five years and provide more than 10,000 total hours of plumber training.
Another well-regarded training option is offered by the in-state branch of thePlumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association. This organization features apprenticeship programs in the private sector, as well as in the state and federal sectors. In addition to hands-on training, you’ll receive a yearly course of classroom instruction at CAPHCC’s Sacramento base of operations.
Certification and Licensing for Becoming a Plumber in California
To become a plumbing journeyman, one must apprentice for four years and have someone who’s familiar with your work affirm that you’re familiar with the trade at the journeyman level of skill. You and this person need to complete a form attesting to this skill and send it to the Contractors’ State License Board. You can then bid on projects up to $500.
To become a licensed master plumber, one must apply for a C-36 license—this requires $300, four years of journeyman experience and the passing of written exams and a proctored test of your skills. You can then bid on all levels of plumbing jobs. Licenses must be renewed every two years.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
In California, the salary landscape for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters presents a significantly higher earning potential compared to national averages. Nationally, the average annual salary for this occupation is $60,090, with the top 10% earning above $101,190. In contrast, the average annual wage in California is $62,660, with a considerably higher ceiling, where the top 10% earn up to $127,920.
National vs. California Salary Comparison
| Location | 10% Low | 25% Low | Median | 75% High | 90% High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $37,250 | $46,630 | $60,090 | $78,960 | $101,190 |
| California | $40,180 | $49,940 | $62,660 | $92,300 | $127,920 |
Salaries by Regions in California
| Region | 10% Low | 25% Low | Median | 75% High | 90% High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $47,980 | $59,640 | $76,930 | $128,890 | $155,680 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $40,180 | $49,390 | $61,740 | $86,800 | $124,120 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $40,330 | $50,440 | $63,310 | $82,460 | $110,230 |
Plumbing Trends in Alaska
The employment outlook for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters in California indicates a robust growth trajectory from 2020 to 2030. Initially, in 2020, the state employed approximately 44,000 individuals in this sector. By 2030, this number is projected to increase to 49,900, representing a growth rate of 13%. This substantial growth is indicative of the increasing demand for skilled labor in the plumbing and pipefitting sectors within the state.
California expects to see about 5,340 job openings each year over the decade, which includes new positions due to growth as well as replacements for retiring workers or those changing careers. In contrast, the national growth rate for this profession is much slower, at only 2% from 2022 to 2032, with 42,600 annual job openings across the country, reflecting the larger size of the national workforce and broader industrial activities.
Trends
| Location | Employment (Start of Period) | Projected Employment (End of Period) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 44,000 (2020) | 49,900 (2030) | 13% | 5,340 |
| United States | 482,700 (2022) | 493,600 (2032) | 2% | 42,600 |
Sources of data:
- State Data: The projections for this State from 2020 to 2030 are provided by Projections Central, which offers long-term projections for occupational employment.
- United States Data: The nationwide employment projections from 2022 to 2032 are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which regularly publishes detailed employment projections for a wide range of occupations across the United States.
Working as a Plumber in California
Whether you’re interested in working for a large contractor or being self-employed, plumbing is always in demand. Because of the rigorous process of becoming a licensed plumber, the employment pool is limited, and reliable and qualified applicants will find it fairly easy to get work.