Plumber salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Plumber in California earns a median of $72,830 a year ($35.01/hour equivalent), 14.2% above the national median of $63,800. California ranks #17 of 51 states. About 47,660 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $56,518 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,174 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,801.15
- Federal income tax
- −$276.64
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$173.67
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$40.62
- California income tax
- −$100.04
- CA SDI
- −$36.42
- Take-home pay
- $2,173.77
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $72,830
- Federal
- $7,193
- FICA
- $5,571
- State + local
- $3,548
- Net
- $56,518
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 8.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia | $101,020 |
| #2 | Illinois | $99,950 |
| #3 | Oregon | $97,050 |
| #4 | Minnesota | $94,410 |
| #5 | Alaska | $93,920 |
| #17 | California | $72,830 |
| #49 | Idaho | $52,380 |
| #50 | South Dakota | $51,620 |
| #51 | Arkansas | $48,660 |
See the national Plumber salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Plumber make in California?
The median salary is $72,830 a year and the average is $82,320 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for plumbers?
California ranks #17 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 14% above the national median of $63,800.
What is $72,830 after taxes in California?
About $56,518 a year ($2,174 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.