Compare accredited Plumber schools across California below, then review pay, licensing steps, and training paths for the trade.
Sponsored - request program info.
Best Plumber Schools in California
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 5 schools, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
5 of them carry a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in California.
Schools closest to the main population center in California are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in California is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Median Graduate Earnings at Plumber Schools in CaliforniaSource: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Plumber Schools in California
School
Median graduate earnings
College of San Mateo
$69,861
Foothill College
$68,070
College of the Canyons
$64,248
Diablo Valley College
$50,569
Orange Coast College
$49,927
Plumber Pay and Job Outlook
What plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn across the pay scaleProjected job growth for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersTop-paying states for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
California Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$72,830
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State employment
47,660 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State location quotient
0.87
BLS OEWS, May 2025
State unemployment rate
6.1%
BLS LAUS (2025)
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage
$70.95/hr ($44.75 base + $26.2 fringe)
DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026
Top Cities for Plumber Training in California
The cities below have the highest concentration of plumber training programs and population centers within California. Click through for school listings near each:
Choose an accredited training path. Options typically include trade schools, community colleges, and registered apprenticeships.
Complete the required classroom instruction in code, safety, and trade theory.
Log on-the-job training hours under a licensed or experienced professional.
Pass the state or local licensing exam where required.
Apply for licensure or certification, then maintain it through continuing education as required.
In California, CareerOneStop reports state-recognized credentials such as the Plumbing Contractor for this trade (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor).
State Wage and Employment
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 47,660 plumbers working in California as of May 2025, earning a median annual wage of approximately $72,830 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). California’s location quotient of 0.87 indicates jobs in this trade are less concentrated than the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Apprenticeships in California
In California, registered apprenticeships are listed through the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship (CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor). Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, typically over 3 to 5 years. United Association (UA) of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry sponsors registered apprenticeships in nearly every state.
Federal Prevailing Wage in California
Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates set the minimum hourly compensation on most federally funded construction projects. As of 2026, the active general wage determination for this trade in California lists $70.95/hr total compensation ($44.75 base + $26.20 fringe) (DOL Wage and Hour Division, 2026).
Find Plumber Programs Across California
The cities below have local plumber program directories. Click any city to compare schools nearby:
Licensing requirements for plumbers vary across California. CareerOneStop and the relevant state agency publish current credential lists; verify scope and exam rules before applying.
How long does plumber training take in California?
Typical certificate programs run 6 to 12 months, associate degrees take about 2 years, and registered apprenticeships generally last 3 to 5 years while paying on-the-job wages.
What is the median wage for plumbers in California?
BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $72,830 for this occupation in California (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Wages vary by experience, employer, and metro area.
Plumber Wages and Workforce in California
In California, Plumber programs train for an occupation with a median wage of about $72,830 per year, and most earn between $47,350 and $131,100 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). California employs roughly 47,660 workers in this occupation, a workforce concentration of about 0.87 times the national average (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Trade-relevant schools serving California include College of San Mateo, Diablo Valley College, and Foothill College. Compare tuition, program length, and graduation outcomes in the table above (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Plumber Training and Licensing in California
In California, Plumber licensing is overseen by California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Common credentials include C-36 Plumbing Contractor License. A typical path requires 4 years (8,000 hours) of journey-level plumbing experience within the last 10 years.
Training paths typically range from certificate programs (6 to 12 months) and associate degrees (about 2 years) to registered apprenticeships (3 to 5 years) that combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction (TradeCareerPath program data).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does plumber training in California involve?
Plumber training in California is offered through trade school certificate programs (typically 6 to 12 months), community college associate degree programs (about 2 years), and registered apprenticeships that combine paid on-the-job training with related classroom instruction over 3 to 5 years. Coursework generally covers safety, applicable codes and standards, hands-on lab work, and exam preparation for any required credential.
How much do plumbers earn in California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), plumbers in California earned a median annual wage of approximately $72,830. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $47,350 to $131,100 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is the California license or certification process for plumbers?
Licensing for plumber work is handled at the state level in California. Consult California's licensing board for current training, examination, and renewal requirements before enrolling in a program.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
