Plumber / Pipefitter Apprenticeships in California

California has 60 registered apprenticeship sponsors training plumber / pipefitters — 25 of them union or joint labor-management programs. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.

Registered sponsors

Union / joint programs

Median plumber / pipefitter wage

$68,390

California, all experience levels

Job growth 2022–2032

+8.4%

4,520 openings/yr

Largest Registered Sponsors

Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.

Sponsor	City	Program type
Central Valley-Motherlode Plumbers, Pipe & Refrig. Fitters JATC Union / joint	MODESTO	Multiple Employer
City of San Diego Civil Service Commission JAC Union / joint	San Diego	Single Employer
Contra Costa Co. Plumbing & Pipe Fitting JATC Union / joint	Martinez	Multiple Employer
Fresno Area Plumbers, Pipe & Refrigeration Fitters JATC Union / joint	FRESNO	Multiple Employer
Glendale Burbank SF Valley Plumbers Steamfitters JATC 761 Union / joint	BURBANK	Multiple Employer
JATC of the Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry UA Local 38 Union / joint	SAN FRANCISCO	Multiple Employer
JATC Plumbing, Pipe-Fitting & Refrigeration Industry of San Mateo County Union / joint	BURLINGAME	Multiple Employer
Landscape & Irrigation Fitters of Southern California Union / joint	Duarte	Multiple Employer
LOCAL UNION 460 PIPE TRADES Union / joint	BAKERSFIELD	Multiple Employer
Los Angeles Metropolitan Plumbers JATC Union / joint	LOS ANGELES	Multiple Employer

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov). California runs its own state apprenticeship registration system, so these federal figures understate the true number of local programs.

What Plumber / Pipefitters Earn in California

Wages

Median annual wage: $68,390
Average annual wage: $78,350
Plumber / Pipefitters employed statewide: 45,460

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.

10-year outlook

Projected growth 2022–2032: +8.4%
Average openings per year: 4,520
Employment: 46,500 → 50,400

Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.

Prefer the school route? Compare Plumber / Pipefitter programs

California Licensing for Plumber / Pipefitters

Underground Storage Tank Tester

Education: Undetermined
Experience: Undetermined
Exam: Undetermined
Continuing education: Undetermined

Issuing agency: State Water Resources Control Board · agency website