Are you looking to jumpstart a career in plumbing in San Jose, CA? With the plumbing industry poised for significant growth in 2025, San Jose offers promising opportunities for skilled professionals. The region anticipates over 1,200 new plumbing jobs by 2025, driven by infrastructure upgrades and sustainable technology adoption12. Median salaries for experienced plumbers exceed $79,800 annually34, while entry-level apprentices can expect to earn approximately $38,480 per year5. For more job insights, check Indeed for San Jose plumbing salaries.
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) 67 |
| Median Salary (Experienced) | $79,800 annually 34 |
| Entry-Level Salary | $38,480 annually 5 |
| Job Growth (2025 projection) | 1,200+ jobs 12 |
| Apprenticeship Duration | 4-5 years 78 |
| Licensing Cost | $7,000–$12,000 initial investment 89 |
| Exam Pass Rate (C-36 Trade Exam) | 72.4% 67 |
| Popular Training Programs | Pipe Trades Training Center [https://scbtc.org/training-centers/pipe-trades-training-center/], Foothill College Apprenticeship Program 10 |
Before diving into the steps to becoming a licensed plumber, it's essential to understand what being a plumber entails. Plumbers are skilled professionals who install, repair, and maintain plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This includes working on pipes, fixtures, water heaters, and drainage systems.
In San Jose specifically, plumbers play a crucial role in implementing climate-resiliency projects and sustainable water systems, as the region implements 2025 CALGreen standards requiring 40% water reuse in new constructions9. Learn more about licensing on the CSLB website.
Yes, plumbers in San Jose must obtain the C-36 Plumbing Contractor License from California's Contractors State License Board (CSLB)67. This license is required for projects exceeding $500 in labor and materials611.
To qualify for this license:
The licensing process includes:
Processing takes 4-6 weeks, with licenses needing renewal every 2 years for $410145.
For those interested in specialized fields, additional certifications may be required:
The typical timeline from apprentice to licensed plumber in San Jose follows this structure:
| Stage | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeship | 4–5 years | Combines paid fieldwork (8,000+ hours) with 576 classroom hours78 |
| Exam Preparation | 3–6 months | 92% of Contractors Intelligence School students pass exams within 2 attempts6 |
| Application Processing | 1–2 months | CSLB reviews financial and experience documentation614 |
| Total | 4.5–6 years | Varies based on program structure and exam scheduling122 |
Accelerated pathways exist through military service credits or associate degree programs, reducing timelines by 12–18 months89. Entry-level plumbers can expect to earn around $18.50/hour during their apprenticeship, progressing to $34.90/hour as journeymen and $42.80/hour as master plumbers3. Find detailed timelines on Industrack's guide.
The financial investment for becoming a plumber in San Jose can be broken down as follows:
Despite these costs, the career return is substantial with:
Specialized roles command premium pay:
The average annual salary for plumbers in San Jose ranges from about $67,123 to over $130,000, significantly above the national average of $65,456 per year15. Explore salary data at ServiceTitan's blog.
To find a plumbing apprenticeship opportunity in San Jose:
Annual tuition costs approximately $1,200/year for textbooks and tools for union apprentices8.
To begin your plumbing career in San Jose, you must meet these basic requirements:
An apprenticeship is a crucial step in your plumbing career. In San Jose, you'll need to complete a plumbing apprenticeship to gain the hands-on experience required for licensing. Apprenticeships typically last 4-5 years and involve both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
To find an apprenticeship:
During your apprenticeship, you'll work under the supervision of a licensed plumber and learn the practical skills needed for the job, such as installing pipes, troubleshooting plumbing systems, and adhering to local codes.
While many San Jose plumbers learn through apprenticeship programs, educational courses can provide a valuable foundation. Options include:
After completing your apprenticeship and acquiring the necessary work experience, you'll need to complete two exams to obtain your license:
Specialized roles may require additional certification:
After passing your exams:
The California CSLB will review your application, a process that typically takes 4-6 weeks. Verify your license status via CSLB's online tools.
The plumbing industry in San Jose is experiencing strong growth. Online job postings surged 37% in Q1 2025, with firms like Anzen Plumbing offering $5,000 signing bonuses for licensed technicians14. This growth is driven by several factors:
The job market outlook for plumbers in San Jose remains highly favorable:
Not only is the demand strong in San Jose, but competitive pay and advancement opportunities exist:
Here's how San Jose compares with other Bay Area cities:
| City | Average Annual Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $67,123–$130,000 | 15 |
| Mountain View | $105,531 | 15 |
| Sunnyvale | $98,741 | 15 |
Several emerging technologies and industry trends are shaping the plumbing trade in San Jose:
These trends are creating new opportunities for plumbers with specialized skills in sustainable technologies and smart system integration. For further reading, check ServiceTitan's blog.
Starting a career as a plumbing apprentice in San Jose is an exciting opportunity to enter a field that is both essential and well-compensated. Whether you're just finishing high school or considering a career change, following these steps will set you on the path to success in this critical industry.
As you gain experience and build your credentials, the opportunities in plumbing will only continue to grow. With projected job growth of 6% through 203334 and competitive salaries exceeding $79,800 annually for experienced plumbers34, the plumbing trade in San Jose offers a stable and rewarding career path.
To begin your journey, use Gild to find plumbing apprenticeships in San Jose and explore more resources on Industrack.
https://www.indeed.com/q-plumber-l-los-angeles,-ca-jobs.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
How to Work in Plumbing in San Diego, CA in 2025 | Gild ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
https://www.servicetitan.com/blog/plumber-salary ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
https://www.getjobber.com/academy/plumbing/plumbing-industry-statistics/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
https://www.housecallpro.com/plumbing/licensing/california/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
https://www.contractorsischool.com/learning-resources/c36-plumbing-contractors-license-california ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15
https://www.servicetitan.com/licensing/plumbing/california ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10
https://education.costhelper.com/plumbing-school.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
https://blog.sendwork.com/2024/10/2025-plumbing-trends-growth-opportunities-in-sustainable-plumbing-solutions/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11
https://keyt.com/stacker-california/2021/09/10/california-is-the-3-highest-paying-state-for-plumbers-hvac-technicians-and-electricians/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
California Plumbing License: How to Get It (and a Business License) | Huckleberry Insurance ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
https://industrack.com/industrack-blog/california-plumbing-license-how-to-become-a-plumber-easily-a-complete-guide ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
https://www.getjobber.com/academy/plumbing-license/california/ ↩ ↩2
Plumbing Contractor License Requirements By State | FieldPulse ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
https://www.sjwater.com/sites/default/files/2021-06/2020%20UWMP%20FINAL%20with%20Appendices.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://themerrowreport.com/2024/12/10/where-have-all-the-plumbers-gone-long-time-passing/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
https://constructioncoverage.com/research/best-paying-cities-for-plumbers ↩ ↩2
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/plumber/job-market/ ↩
