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Some occupations are more lucrative than others.
If you live in California and you’re in search of a new job or career, you could consider becoming a plumber.
These professionals are in constant demand and they also have the possibility of establishing their own businesses.
Article Table of Contents
Plumber Job Description and Requirements
Thousands of years ago, plumbers were working with lead which was used in the sewage systems of the Roman cities and not only.
These days, plumbers work mostly with gas and water pipes found either in the homes, companies, or cities.
All these include:
- Sanitary drainage,
- Storm drainage facilities,
- Special wastes,
- Vent systems,
- Public or private water systems
- Gas piping within or adjacent to any building.
The major disadvantage is that you’ll need to undergo training for around 5 years.
Plumbers also measure, solder, and use a variety of tools to complete the task at hand.
They sometimes work outdoors in all weather conditions, will have to carry heavy equipment, and perform a variety of other duties.
Training as a Plumber
Plumbers train either in vocational schools or through apprentice programs.
Regardless of the chosen method, you’ll have to attend some classroom education as well as hands-on practice hours.
Classroom education should be around 2 years long, or 1080 hours.
The hands-on practice should last for around 5 more years, or 9000 hours.
Usually, the vocational schools make it easy for those enrolled to find an apprentice position.
Apprentices have a paid and supervised position.
They are supervised by a licensed plumber.
To be accepted in the plumbing training programs, you generally need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- To be 18 years old
- A clean criminal record in the last 7 years
- To be able to read, write and speak the English
- A valid California drivers license
While in training you’ll learn about:
- Repairing leaky pipes
- Reading blueprints
- Installing boilers, furnaces, hot water tanks, sewer lines, sprinkler systems, and water well systems
- Choosing the correct tools for each task
Some of the programs offer the possibility to attend the theory classes online.
Becoming a Journeyman Plumber in California
Just like in most states, to become a journeyman in California you need to pass an exam at the end of your apprenticeship period.
Unfortunately, the candidates won’t know how much they scored on the exam, instead, they’ll be told if they passed it or not.
All the materials needed to pass the exam are found at the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
Those who become journeymen can have contracts on plumbing jobs that cost up to $500, both labor and materials.
These professionals also work without supervision.
Becoming a Licensed Contractor
In California, if you want to perform plumbing work that costs over $500, you’ll have to become a contractor.
For this, you’ll need to apply to the Board and only if you’re accepted you can take the contractor exam.
You can only apply if you accumulated 4 years of experience as a journeyman.
Additionally, 4 years of experience as a foreman, supervisor, contractor, or owner-builder, is also accepted for the contractor examination.
It’s mandatory for candidates to show proof of:
- $2,500 as working capital
- $10,000 as bond with the Registrar
Make sure to also download the application form from the Board and fill it out.
The application and all the documents need to be accompanied by the processing fee of $300.
This exam has actually 2 tests:
- Business exam
- Trade exam
The trade exam will cover the following sections:
- Worker and job site safety
- Service, repair, and remodel plumbing systems
- Planning and estimating
- Rough-in plumbing systems
- Finish plumbing installations
Employment and Salary Information
Finding employment is relatively easy as you can start looking for a job while still being in training.
These apprenticeship positions usually transform into full-time jobs.
The income of a plumber depends on their experience and skills, as well as the job they need to complete.
The salaries are higher in cities like San Jose and San Francisco where plumbers earn much more than the average salary in California.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $64,707 |
| San Diego | $61,802 |
| San Jose | $72,139 |
| San Francisco | $72,024 |
| Fresno | $57,596 |
| Sacramento | $62,131 |
| Long Beach | $64,091 |
| Oakland | $68,115 |
| Bakersfield | $61,735 |
| Anaheim | $64,235 |
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 850 | $67,540 | $32.47 | $109,830 | $38,770 |
| Chico, CA | 140 | $65,240 | $31.36 | $106,210 | $36,970 |
| El Centro, CA | 140 | $64,900 | $31.2 | $92,070 | $38,600 |
| Fresno, CA | 950 | $68,960 | $33.15 | $117,710 | $38,280 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 90 | $62,620 | $30.1 | $86,780 | $40,410 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 11,830 | $71,650 | $34.45 | $124,120 | $40,180 |
| Madera, CA | 110 | $66,500 | $31.97 | $99,630 | $42,390 |
| Merced, CA | 180 | $59,880 | $28.79 | $100,280 | $39,020 |
| Modesto, CA | 380 | $67,850 | $32.62 | $111,340 | $41,650 |
| Napa, CA | 130 | $78,420 | $37.7 | $131,630 | $48,550 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 1,010 | $69,300 | $33.32 | $120,600 | $38,430 |
| Redding, CA | 160 | $66,920 | $32.18 | $119,950 | $38,930 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,220 | $65,600 | $31.54 | $107,610 | $34,210 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 3,410 | $70,450 | $33.87 | $121,920 | $38,920 |
| Salinas, CA | 350 | $71,590 | $34.42 | $122,260 | $46,010 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 4,290 | $70,900 | $34.09 | $110,230 | $40,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 5,200 | $92,000 | $44.23 | $155,680 | $47,980 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,330 | $96,870 | $46.57 | $167,310 | $50,940 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 350 | $71,980 | $34.61 | $107,130 | $45,720 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 280 | $72,900 | $35.05 | $123,900 | $41,290 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 520 | $65,580 | $31.53 | $94,640 | $45,140 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 710 | $76,420 | $36.74 | $127,920 | $47,390 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 530 | $75,000 | $36.06 | $128,940 | $39,420 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 500 | $65,330 | $31.41 | $97,250 | $39,430 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 360 | $63,620 | $30.59 | $95,360 | $37,440 |
| Yuba City, CA | 100 | $67,660 | $32.53 | $115,590 | $35,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information
Plumbers cannot perform work on forced warm air units.
They can however perform work on commercial, residential, and public constructions.
The employees of plumber contractors do not need to have a contractor license.
Union Membership
Plumbers have the possibility of joining a union in their area.
Doing this has several advantages and a few disadvantages.
Among the advantages is the possibility of earning more money and even receiving support if the individual needs to find a new job.
Among the disadvantages is the fact that the individuals need to listen to the union’s decisions even when not agreeing with them.
Schools Offering Plumbing Programs in California
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bakersfield College | 1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, California 93305-1299 |
| City College of San Francisco | 50 Frida Kahlo Drive, San Francisco, California 94112-1898 |
| PHCC OF CALIFORNIA | 1820 Tribute Road, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95815 |
| CalApprenticeship | |
| Diablo Valley College | 321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill, California 94523 |
| Foothill College | 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, California 94022 |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College | 400 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90015-4181 |
| San Diego City College | 1313 Park Boulevard, San Diego, California 92101-4787 |
| Pipe Trades Training Center | 780 Commercial St, San Jose, CA 95112 |
| Joint Apprenticeship / Apprentice & Journeymen Training Trust Fund of the Southern California Plumbing & Piping Industry | 18931 S Laurel Park Rd, Compton, CA 90220 |
| UA Local 467 | 1519 Rollins Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010 |
| UA Local 447 | 5841 Newman Ct Sacramento, CA 95819 |
| UA LOCAL 62 PLUMBERS & STEAMFITTERS UNION | 11445 Commercial Pkwy, Castroville, CA 95012 |
| United Association Plumbers Local 78 | 1111 West James M. Wood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015 |
| Laney College | 900 Fallon St, Oakland, CA 94607 |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Plumber
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Plumbing License by State