Highest Paying Trades in California

The top skilled trades in California, ranked by median annual salary. Click any trade to see detailed salary breakdowns and metro-level data.

Rank	Trade	Median Salary	Employment	Growth
1	Electrical Power-Line Installers (Linemen)	$122,520	11,070	+8.8%
2	Insulation Workers	$119,890	1,260	+5.2%
3	Boilermakers	$107,600	690	+5.9%
4	Rotary Drill Operators (Oil & Gas)	$99,470	410	+8.1%
5	Operating Engineers (Heavy Equipment)	$89,120	36,040	+4.1%
6	Sheet Metal Workers	$79,630	9,180	+5.2%
7	Millwrights	$78,810	2,490	+5.4%
8	Stationary Engineers & Boiler Operators	$78,490	7,800	+8.2%
9	Pipelayers	$78,090	1,720	+8.5%
10	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics	$78,060	21,170	+5.5%
11	Electricians	$76,540	73,420	+5.2%
12	Carpenters	$74,820	106,500	+5.2%
13	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$73,840	25,790	+5.5%
14	Structural Iron & Steel Workers	$72,050	6,970	+4.5%
15	Bus & Truck Mechanics	$70,650	21,730	+8.5%
16	Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters	$68,390	45,460	+4.9%
17	Drywall Installers	$65,880	27,350	+5%
18	HVAC Mechanics & Installers	$65,290	34,020	+5.7%
19	Heating, AC & Refrigeration Mechanics	$65,290	34,020	+5.7%
20	Cement Masons & Concrete Finishers	$64,280	29,030	+8.1%
21	Automotive Service Technicians	$63,370	62,110	+8%
22	Reinforcing Iron & Rebar Workers	$61,440	1,660	+5.2%
23	Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers	$57,940	26,100	+8.2%
24	Painters (Construction & Maintenance)	$57,450	37,780	+5.5%
25	Machinists	$56,220	21,580	+8.3%
26	Maintenance & Repair Workers	$56,030	132,250	+8.1%
27	Helpers — Pipelayers, Plumbers & Pipefitters	$49,970	2,230	+8.5%
28	Helpers — Electricians	$47,540	1,790	+8.4%
29	Helpers — Installation, Maintenance & Repair	$42,700	10,690	+8.5%

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