Trade Careers in California
Updated April 13, 2025 | Brad Fishbein
- 💼 Why Choose a Skilled Trade Career in California?
- ⚖️ Trade Career Comparison: California
- 🧰 Popular Apprenticeships & Training Paths
- ⚙️ California Licensing Agencies
- 📈 Trade Career & Salary Outlook in California
- 📣 Real Voices from the Field
- 🏁 Start Your Skilled Trade Career in California
- 📚 Citations
Looking to build a career that doesn’t require a four-year degree—and still pays well? Trade careers in California are booming. From the Central Valley to the Bay Area and SoCal suburbs, skilled trades are in high demand. Whether you want to wire homes, install solar panels, or inspect HVAC systems, there’s a path for you.
This guide walks you through the most popular trade jobs in California, what they pay, how to get licensed, and where to train.
💼 Why Choose a Skilled Trade Career in California?
| Advantage | Details |
|---|---|
| High Demand | Ongoing housing shortage and infrastructure investment statewide |
| Green Tech Growth | California leads the U.S. in clean energy and solar expansion |
| Licensing Support | State-regulated apprenticeship and certification pathways |
| Job Security | Most trades are recession-resistant and tied to essential infrastructure |
“Skilled trades are critical to California’s economy—and many are eligible for union support, apprenticeships, and workforce grants.” — California Department of Industrial Relations1
⚖️ Trade Career Comparison: California
| Trade | Avg. Salary2 | Training Time | State License Required? | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $72,520 | 4–5 years | ✅ Yes | Electrician Guide |
| HVAC Technician | $59,420 | 6–24 months | ✅ Yes | HVAC Guide |
| Plumber | $67,760 | 4–5 years | ✅ Yes | Plumber Guide |
| Welder | $51,800 | 6–18 months | ❌ No (certification only) | Welder Guide |
| Solar Installer | $54,110 | 3–12 months | ❌ No (electrical license for wiring) | Solar Guide |
| Carpenter | $58,700 | 6–24 months | ❌ No | Carpenter Guide |
| Mold Inspector | $57,000 | 1–6 months | ✅ Yes (if consulting) | Mold Inspector Guide |
🧰 Popular Apprenticeships & Training Paths
California supports thousands of state-approved apprenticeships, often paid.
| Training Type | Description | Where to Start |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeship | Earn while you learn (state-funded in many cases) | [DIR Apprenticeship Database]1 |
| Trade School | Fast-track diploma or certificate programs | Community colleges or private tech schools |
| On-the-Job Training | Entry-level job + in-house certification path | Local contractors or unions (IBEW, UA, etc) |
“Apprenticeship programs are available in nearly every trade in California, from electrical to HVAC to solar.” — California DIR1
⚙️ California Licensing Agencies
| Trade | Licensing Agency |
|---|---|
| Electrician | DIR – Electrician Certification |
| Plumber | CSLB – Contractors License |
| HVAC Technician | CSLB – C-20 Classification |
| Solar Installer | No specific license, may require C-46 or C-10 for wiring |
| Welder | LA City AWS Weld Certs (if working on city/public contracts) |
| Mold Inspector | Typically certified via private training providers |
📈 Trade Career & Salary Outlook in California
| Trade | Median Salary2 | Job Growth (2024–2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $72,520 | 7% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,420 | 9% |
| Plumber | $67,760 | 8% |
| Welder | $51,800 | 3% |
| Solar Installer | $54,110 | 22% |
| Carpenter | $58,700 | 2% |
| Mold Inspector | $57,000 | 6% |
“California remains a national leader in solar and green tech jobs, especially for licensed tradespeople.” — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2
📣 Real Voices from the Field
“I went through a union apprenticeship in the Bay Area and was earning $30/hour before I finished. Trades changed my life.”
— Monica G., HVAC Technician, Sacramento“I didn’t want college debt. Welding gave me real skills and a real paycheck fast.”
— Julian T., Certified Welder, Fresno
🏁 Start Your Skilled Trade Career in California
Explore a trade, find a program near you, or get certified. Whether you're looking for job stability, purpose, or hands-on work, California’s trade workforce needs you.
📚 Citations
-
California Department of Industrial Relations – Apprenticeships: https://www.dir.ca.gov/das ↩ ↩ ↩
-
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh ↩ ↩ ↩
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Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.
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