---
title: "Pipefitter & Steamfitter Programs in California"
canonical: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/
description: "Pipefitter & Steamfitter pay in California: BLS average $82,320 (all experience levels), median $72,830, bottom 10% $47,350. 45 listed programs."
updated: 2026-11-03
wage_source: "BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15"
---

1. [Home](https://highpayingtrades.com/)
2. [Trades](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/)
3. [Pipefitter & Steamfitter](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/)
4. California
 California

# Pipefitter & Steamfitter programs in *California*

45 listed pipefitter programs in California, plus BLS pay data for the state and 25 metro areas.

- **$82,320** Average pay (state, all experience levels)
- **$47,350** Entry-level / bottom 10%
- **$72,830** Median pay (state)
- **$131,100** Top 10% earn over

47,660 jobs in California · 45 listed programs. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

Cities with listed programs

- [Sacramento 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/sacramento/)
- [San Diego 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/san-diego/)
- [Los Altos Hills 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/los-altos-hills/)
- [Los Angeles 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/los-angeles/)
- [Pleasant Hill 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/pleasant-hill/)
- [San Jose 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/san-jose/)
- [Bakersfield 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/bakersfield/)
- [Colton 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/colton/)

BLS wage data

## Pipefitter & Steamfitter pay in California

Annual wages from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| California | $47,350 | $58,980 | $72,830 | $100,200 | $131,100 | $82,320 | 47,660 |
| United States | $44,150 | $50,190 | $63,800 | $85,110 | $108,420 | $72,170 | 465,840 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.

### Metro areas

| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $63,270 | $76,040 | $107,560 | $155,600 | $155,600 | $114,280 | 3,830 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $48,540 | $62,650 | $77,880 | $121,770 | $155,330 | $92,380 | 5,660 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $46,030 | $61,390 | $72,510 | $94,480 | $127,790 | $78,580 | 5,100 |
| Vallejo, CA | $49,770 | $61,030 | $71,560 | $90,250 | $120,700 | $78,360 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $46,090 | $58,560 | $71,110 | $101,300 | $125,080 | $80,230 | 15,690 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $47,770 | $60,550 | $68,130 | $95,720 | $124,660 | $77,730 | 350 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $45,670 | $54,560 | $66,450 | $93,810 | $117,840 | $76,110 | 960 |
| Napa, CA | $48,070 | $60,360 | $65,420 | $82,360 | $117,390 | $76,020 | 150 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $46,620 | $56,320 | $65,210 | $85,340 | $131,100 | $76,440 | 3,120 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $49,430 | $59,280 | $64,700 | $82,890 | $133,120 | $78,080 | 560 |
| Salinas, CA | $47,270 | $58,670 | $64,440 | $82,030 | $101,400 | $72,700 | 320 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,590 | $51,300 | $64,400 | $93,310 | $124,280 | $76,020 | 970 |
Metropolitan area estimates, BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. Only areas BLS published are shown.

Programs

## Listed programs in California

Every pipefitter program we matched in California. Schools with published tuition are listed first.

| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [American River College](https://www.arc.losrios.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Sacramento, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 68 | $1,288–$12,472 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [American River College](https://www.arc.losrios.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Sacramento, CA | Associate degree | 0 | $1,288–$12,472 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Bakersfield College](https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Bakersfield, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $1,450–$11,530 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Capstone College](https://www.capstonecollege.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Pasadena, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $17,950 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [City College of San Francisco](https://www.ccsf.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | San Francisco, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 4 | $1,696–$16,096 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [College of San Mateo](https://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | San Mateo, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $1,332–$11,680 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [College of the Canyons](https://www.canyons.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Santa Clarita, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $1,170–$10,938 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Diablo Valley College](https://www.dvc.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Pleasant Hill, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $1,128–$9,216 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Diablo Valley College](https://www.dvc.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Pleasant Hill, CA | Associate degree | 0 | $1,128–$9,216 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Diablo Valley College](https://www.dvc.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Pleasant Hill, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 2 | $1,128–$9,216 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Foothill College](https://foothill.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Los Altos Hills, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 37 | $1,580–$12,785 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Foothill College](https://foothill.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Los Altos Hills, CA | Associate degree | 5 | $1,580–$12,785 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Foothill College](https://foothill.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Los Altos Hills, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $1,580–$12,785 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Los Angeles Trade Technical College](https://www.lattc.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Los Angeles, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 27 | $1,238–$11,040 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Los Angeles Trade Technical College](https://www.lattc.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Los Angeles, CA | Associate degree | 13 | $1,238–$11,040 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Los Angeles Trade Technical College](https://www.lattc.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Los Angeles, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $1,238–$11,040 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Mission College](https://www.missioncollege.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Santa Clara, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $1,438–$12,230 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Orange Coast College](https://orangecoastcollege.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | Costa Mesa, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 6 | $1,222–$11,926 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [San Diego City College](https://www.sdcity.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | San Diego, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $1,154–$10,010 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [San Diego City College](https://www.sdcity.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | San Diego, CA | Associate degree | 0 | $1,154–$10,010 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| [Summit College](https://www.summitcollege.edu/) Plumbing Technology/Plumber | San Bernardino, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 45 | $19,995 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0503 |
| Contra Costa Co. Plumbing & Pipe Fitting JATC | Martinez, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Glendale Burbank SF Valley Plumbers Steamfitters JATC 761 | Burbank, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| JAC Plumbing & Pipefitting, Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| JATC of the Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry UA Local 38 | San Francisco, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Joint Apprenticeship Committee for the Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry Sacramento – Yolo Districts | Sacramento, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee for the Plumbing, Pipefitting & Steamfitting Industry of Orange County - U.A. Local 582 | Orange, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Local Union 460 Pipe Trades | Bakersfield, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Los Angeles & Vicinity Steamfitters & Industrial Pipefitters JATC | Gardena, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Monterey/Santa Cruz JATCfor the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry U.A. Local 062 | Castroville, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Napa and Solano JATC Plumbers & Steamfitters | Vacaville, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Orange County Plumbers & Steamfitters JATC | Orange, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Pipe Trades JATC of Santa Clara and San Benito Co | San Jose, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Pipe Trades JATC of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties (residential) | San Jose, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Pipe Trades Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee of Santa Clara and San Benito Counties | San Jose, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| San Diego & Imperial County Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Program | San Diego, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Sprinkler Fitters UA Local 483 JATC | Hayward, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Sprinkler Fitters UA Local 709 JATC | Whittier, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| UA Local 342 Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC | Concord, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Union Pipe Trades Training Center | San Diego, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Ventura Co. Plumbers & Pipefitters JAC | Oxnard, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Yuba Shasta UA Local 228 JATC | Marysville, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| Pomona & San Gabriel Valleys Plumbers & Steamfitte | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| San Bernardino & Riverside Co. Plumbing & Steamfitters | Colton, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
| San Bernardino & Riverside Counties Plumbing & Steamfitter Trade J.A.C. | Colton, CA | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
Schools: NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code; “Graduates 2023-24” is the number of first-major certificates or associate degrees the school awarded in that program from July 2023 to June 2024 (IPEDS). Tuition: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (updated 2026-10-15), matched by IPEDS unit ID; it is the published figure, not a quote. Apprenticeship sponsors: DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file (retrieved 2026-10-29); apprenticeships are typically paid, so no tuition is listed — contact the program.

### Browse by city

- [Sacramento 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/sacramento/)
- [San Diego 4](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/san-diego/)
- [Los Altos Hills 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/los-altos-hills/)
- [Los Angeles 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/los-angeles/)
- [Pleasant Hill 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/pleasant-hill/)
- [San Jose 3](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/san-jose/)
- [Bakersfield 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/bakersfield/)
- [Colton 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/colton/)
- [Orange 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/orange/)
- [San Francisco 2](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/san-francisco/)
- [Burbank 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/burbank/)
- [Castroville 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/castroville/)
- [Concord 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/concord/)
- [Costa Mesa 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/costa-mesa/)
- [Gardena 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/gardena/)
- [Hayward 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/hayward/)
- [Martinez 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/martinez/)
- [Marysville 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/marysville/)
- [Oxnard 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/oxnard/)
- [Pasadena 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/pasadena/)
- [Rancho Cucamonga 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/rancho-cucamonga/)
- [San Bernardino 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/san-bernardino/)
- [San Mateo 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/san-mateo/)
- [Santa Clara 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/santa-clara/)
- [Santa Clarita 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/santa-clarita/)
- [Vacaville 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/vacaville/)
- [Whittier 1](https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/whittier/)

Related resources

## Keep researching

[**Plumber and pipefitter path for veterans** Military experience and apprenticeship entry. · MilitaryToTrades.com](https://militarytotrades.com/careers/plumber-pipefitter/) [**GI Bill-approved plumbing programs** Schools that accept VA education benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.com](https://veterantradeschools.com/plumbing/) [**All registered apprenticeships in California** The full DOL sponsor list for the state. · RegisteredTradeSchools.com](https://registeredtradeschools.com/apprenticeships/ca/)

## Sources

- **Wages:** U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 ([news release USDL-26-0725](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm); [data tables](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm)). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- **Occupation:** O\*NET OnLine, [47-2152.00 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-2152.00), retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- **Apprenticeship sponsors:** U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 ([Partner Finder](https://www.apprenticeship.gov/partner-finder)).
- **Schools & graduates:** U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024\_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code ([completions file](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/data/C2024_A.zip); [CIP-SOC crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Files/CIP2020_SOC2018_Crosswalk.xlsx)).
- **Tuition:** U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID ([source](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/)).

Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.

---
Canonical HTML: https://highpayingtrades.com/trades/pipefitter/california/
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_05152026.htm). Programs: NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions; DOL Office of Apprenticeship. Tuition: College Scorecard.