Highest-Paying Trades in California: 18 Best Jobs for 2026

The highest-paying trades in California are elevator installation, power-line work and substation repair, based on 2025 median pay. Elevator and escalator installers lead at $141,180, and power-line installers follow at $129,040. Substation repairers earn $121,520, mechanical insulation workers $119,690 and building inspectors $101,290. Every figure is a California statewide median from the federal Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey.

The Nitty Gritty

Elevator, power-line and substation trades top the California pay list, and each one starts without a four-year degree.
Most trades on this list begin after high school with paid on-the-job training or a registered apprenticeship.
Licensing, specialization, union coverage and overtime explain much of the pay gap inside each trade.

If you're comparing trades that pay well in California, salary is a smart first filter. Pay is only half the picture, though. The list below covers hands-on construction, installation, maintenance and repair trades. Each entry adds the path in, the credentials worth planning around, the levers that raise pay and the day-to-day work.

Key takeaways

Elevator, power-line and substation trades top the California pay list, and each one starts without a four-year degree.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work sit right outside the top 18 on median pay, yet their highest earners clear six figures.

Most trades on this list begin after high school with paid on-the-job training or a registered apprenticeship.

Licensing, specialization, union coverage and overtime explain much of the pay gap inside each trade.

The long-term ceiling for licensed tradespeople is running a contracting business of their own.

Highest-paying trades in California at a glance

The table lists the 18 highest-paying trades in California by median pay, with one federal wage survey behind every row. The median wage is the midpoint for each trade. The figure in parentheses marks the pay level the top tenth of workers reach or pass, a practical target for experienced specialists.

Rank	Trade	California median pay (top 10% earn)	Typical entry route	Credential or program to plan for
1	Elevator and escalator installers and repairers	$141,180 (top 10%: $173,920+)	High school diploma, then an apprenticeship	Cal/OSHA conveyance mechanic certification
2	Electrical power-line installers and repairers	$129,040 (top 10%: $167,090+)	High school diploma, then long-term on-the-job training	Utility or union lineworker program
3	Powerhouse, substation and relay electrical repairers	$121,520 (top 10%: $165,540+)	Postsecondary certificate, then moderate on-the-job training	Utility technical training
4	Mechanical insulation workers	$119,690 (top 10%: $165,540+)	High school diploma, then an apprenticeship	Journeyperson status after a registered apprenticeship
5	Construction and building inspectors	$101,290 (top 10%: $161,550+)	High school diploma, prior trade experience and moderate on-the-job training	Inspector credentials through an employer or local agency
6	Control and valve installers and repairers	$100,260 (top 10%: $137,030+)	High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training	Employer or utility training
7	Telecommunications line installers and repairers	$97,980 (top 10%: $106,230+)	High school diploma, then long-term on-the-job training	Employer or union training
8	Avionics technicians	$92,480 (top 10%: $126,600+)	Postsecondary certificate	Aviation electronics program
9	Operating engineers and construction equipment operators	$87,160 (top 10%: $132,210+)	High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training	Union or employer equipment training
10	Commercial and industrial electrical and electronics repairers	$87,080 (top 10%: $129,910+)	Postsecondary certificate, then long-term on-the-job training	Electronics technology program
11	Aircraft mechanics and service technicians	$86,100 (top 10%: $116,690+)	Postsecondary certificate	FAA mechanic certificate
12	Riggers	$85,730 (top 10%: $127,810+)	High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training	Employer rigging training
13	Transportation equipment electrical and electronics installers	$84,820 (top 10%: $122,590+)	Postsecondary certificate, then moderate on-the-job training	Electronics technology program
14	Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators	$83,130 (top 10%: $130,120+)	High school diploma, then moderate on-the-job training	Union or employer equipment training
15	Mobile heavy equipment mechanics	$78,550 (top 10%: $129,310+)	High school diploma, then long-term on-the-job training	Diesel or heavy equipment program
16	Millwrights	$77,950 (top 10%: $127,890+)	High school diploma, then an apprenticeship	Journeyperson status after a registered apprenticeship
17	Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers	$76,630 (top 10%: $113,240+)	Postsecondary certificate, then moderate on-the-job training	Electronics or network cabling program
18	Sheet metal workers	$76,590 (top 10%: $132,190+)	High school diploma, then an apprenticeship	Journeyperson status after a registered apprenticeship

Trades on this list are hands-on construction, installation, maintenance and repair occupations with at least 1,000 California jobs. Supervisors, helpers, engineers, managers and plant operators sit outside the list. Entry routes come from Bureau of Labor Statistics education and training data. Pay in the middle of the table sits close together, so treat neighboring rows as a near tie.

18 highest-paying trade jobs in California

Power, utility and building-systems trades hold the top of the list, and aviation and heavy equipment trades fill the middle. Each profile covers California pay, the work itself, the path in, what raises earnings and what to know before you commit. Where a trade needs a state or federal credential, the link goes to the issuing agency.

1. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers

California salary: Elevator installers earn a median of $141,180 in California, and the top 10% make $173,920 or more.
What they do: Elevator mechanics assemble, test and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways and wheelchair lifts in offices, hospitals, transit stations and apartment towers.
How to become one: Union and employer apprenticeships are the standard start after high school. California adds a Cal/OSHA certification for conveyance mechanics, earned through an approved apprenticeship or a qualifying exam.
Why earnings rise: Modernization work on older buildings keeps demand steady, and emergency callouts for stuck cars add premium hours.
Good to know: Shafts, machine rooms and pits are the workplace. Expect tight spaces, heights and heavy components.

2. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

California salary: Lineworkers earn a median of $129,040 in California, and the top 10% make $167,090 or more.
What they do: Lineworkers build and repair the overhead and underground lines that carry power from plants and substations to homes and businesses.
How to become one: Utilities and line contractors train new workers through long-term on-the-job programs and union apprenticeships that open with climbing, rigging and electrical theory.
Why earnings rise: Storm restoration and wildfire recovery bring long shifts and overtime, and journey-level status raises the base rate.
Good to know: Heights, weather and high voltage come with the job. For a wider view of workforce demand, see these electrical industry statistics.

3. Powerhouse, substation and relay electrical repairers

California salary: Substation and relay technicians earn a median of $121,520 in California, and the top 10% make $165,540 or more.
What they do: Transformers, breakers and protective relays inside generating stations and substations need regular inspection, testing and repair, and this trade handles all three.
How to become one: A postsecondary electrical or electronics certificate is the common starting point, followed by utility training on relay testing and switching.
Why earnings rise: Protection and relay skills take years to build, so utilities pay a premium for technicians who hold them.
Good to know: Shift work and on-call rotations are part of the role because substations run around the clock.

4. Mechanical insulation workers

California salary: Mechanical insulators earn a median of $119,690 in California, and the top 10% make $165,540 or more.
What they do: Insulators wrap pipes, ducts, boilers and tanks in industrial plants, hospitals and commercial buildings to control heat, cold and sound.
How to become one: Union apprenticeships are the main door in. California's Division of Apprenticeship Standards oversees the registered programs that end in journeyperson status.
Why earnings rise: Refinery and industrial projects anchor the top of the pay scale, and firestopping skills add another line of work.
Good to know: California employs a small number of these workers, so read the pay estimate as a rough guide.

5. Construction and building inspectors

California salary: Building inspectors earn a median of $101,290 in California, and the top 10% make $161,550 or more.
What they do: Foundations, framing and electrical, plumbing and mechanical work all pass an inspector's review against building codes before a project moves forward.
How to become one: Inspection is a second-career trade. BLS lists five or more years of related work experience as the entry route. Electricians, plumbers and carpenters make the move later.
Why earnings rise: Certifications across multiple disciplines open larger commercial projects and plan review work.
Good to know: Site walks, reports and plan reviews replace most of the physical labor.

6. Control and valve installers and repairers

California salary: Control and valve technicians earn a median of $100,260 in California, and the top 10% make $137,030 or more.
What they do: Meters, valves, regulators and thermostatic controls on gas, water and industrial systems are the core equipment they install and fix.
How to become one: After high school, moderate on-the-job training gets new workers started, and utilities run their own training programs.
Why earnings rise: Gas distribution and industrial process work sit at the high end, and troubleshooting skill opens senior technician roles.
Good to know: Field routes mean driving between sites and working in trenches, vaults and plant rooms.

7. Telecommunications line installers and repairers

California salary: Telecom line installers earn a median of $97,980 in California, and the top 10% make $106,230 or more.
What they do: Stringing, splicing and repairing fiber and copper cable on poles and underground brings phone, internet and cable service to buildings.
How to become one: Employers train new installers on the job over a year or more, alongside union programs in parts of the state.
Why earnings rise: Fiber splicing and testing skills earn premium rates.
Good to know: BLS projections point to a 3.4 percent national decline from 2025 to 2035, so fiber skills matter for staying employed.

8. Avionics technicians

California salary: Avionics technicians earn a median of $92,480 in California, and the top 10% make $126,600 or more.
What they do: Avionics specialists install, test and repair navigation, communication and flight control electronics on aircraft.
How to become one: A postsecondary aviation electronics program is the usual start, and employers add training on the aircraft types they service.
Why earnings rise: Glass-cockpit experience and airline or defense contracts open the top pay bands.
Good to know: Hangars and flight lines are the work setting, with shift work at larger airports.

9. Operating engineers and construction equipment operators

California salary: Operating engineers earn a median of $87,160 in California, and the top 10% make $132,210 or more.
What they do: Operators run bulldozers, excavators, graders and loaders that move earth and set materials on road, utility and building sites.
How to become one: Moderate on-the-job training after high school gets operators started, and union apprenticeships add classroom and seat time on each machine.
Why earnings rise: Prevailing-wage public projects and GPS grade-control work pay at the top of the range.
Good to know: Wet winter months slow site work, and large jobs bring early starts and long days.

10. Commercial and industrial electrical and electronics repairers

California salary: Industrial electronics repairers earn a median of $87,080 in California, and the top 10% make $129,910 or more.
What they do: Motors, motor controllers, control panels and industrial electronics in factories and commercial facilities break down, and these repairers bring them back online.
How to become one: Postsecondary electronics training plus long-term on-the-job training is the standard path.
Why earnings rise: Programmable logic controller and automation skills set top earners apart.
Good to know: This trade suits people who prefer diagnosis and bench work over new construction.

11. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

California salary: Aircraft mechanics earn a median of $86,100 in California, and the top 10% make $116,690 or more.
What they do: Engines, landing gear, hydraulics and airframes on commercial and private aircraft all fall under their inspection and repair work.
How to become one: FAA-approved aviation maintenance schools are the common route in. The FAA mechanic certificate sets experience and testing standards for airframe and powerplant ratings.
Why earnings rise: Holding both ratings, working for a major carrier and adding inspection authority move pay higher.
Good to know: Overnight shifts are common because airlines schedule maintenance when planes are on the ground.

12. Riggers

California salary: Riggers earn a median of $85,730 in California, and the top 10% make $127,810 or more.
What they do: Riggers plan and set up the cables, slings, pulleys and hoists that lift heavy equipment and structural loads.
How to become one: On-the-job training after high school is the route in, and crane and rigging certifications strengthen a resume.
Why earnings rise: Industrial, shipyard and entertainment rigging pay premiums for complex lifts.
Good to know: Heavy loads carry real risk, so careful planning and signaling skills are central to the work.

13. Transportation equipment electrical and electronics installers

California salary: Transportation electronics installers earn a median of $84,820 in California, and the top 10% make $122,590 or more.
What they do: Electrical systems on trains, ships and rail transit cars need installation and repair, and this trade covers both.
How to become one: Entry takes a postsecondary electronics certificate plus moderate on-the-job training.
Why earnings rise: Rail and transit agencies pay well for technicians who handle signal, propulsion and control systems.
Good to know: The California workforce here is small and clusters around ports, rail yards and transit depots.

14. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators

California salary: Paving equipment operators earn a median of $83,130 in California, and the top 10% make $130,120 or more.
What they do: Asphalt pavers, rollers and tamping machines on roads, runways and parking lots are the equipment these operators run.
How to become one: Employers and union programs train operators on the job after high school.
Why earnings rise: Prevailing-wage public roadwork and night paving shifts pay more.
Good to know: Heat, noise and night work come with the trade, since road crews pave when traffic is light.

15. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics

California salary: Heavy equipment mechanics earn a median of $78,550 in California, and the top 10% make $129,310 or more.
What they do: Engines, hydraulics and transmissions on construction, farm and mining equipment are the systems they diagnose and repair.
How to become one: Long-term on-the-job training after high school is the standard route, and diesel technology programs speed it up.
Why earnings rise: Field service roles, dealer factory training and hydraulic diagnostics raise pay.
Good to know: Shop floors and job sites both serve as the workplace, with heavy lifting and dirty conditions.

16. Millwrights

California salary: Millwrights earn a median of $77,950 in California, and the top 10% make $127,890 or more.
What they do: Millwrights install, align and dismantle conveyors, turbines and production lines in plants and power facilities.
How to become one: Apprenticeships pair paid work with classroom hours and form the main route into the trade.
Why earnings rise: Laser alignment and turbine work pay at the top of the trade.
Good to know: Plant shutdowns bring intense stretches of overtime.

17. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers

California salary: Telecom equipment technicians earn a median of $76,630 in California, and the top 10% make $113,240 or more.
What they do: These technicians set up and repair switching, routing and cabling equipment for phone, data and security networks.
How to become one: Postsecondary electronics training plus moderate on-the-job training is the common path.
Why earnings rise: Network certifications and data center work move technicians into higher pay bands.
Good to know: Low-voltage contracting overlaps with this trade, with installers wiring access control, cameras and structured cabling.

18. Sheet metal workers

California salary: Sheet metal workers earn a median of $76,590 in California, and the top 10% make $132,190 or more.
What they do: HVAC ductwork, roofing, gutters and architectural metal come out of their shops and onto job sites.
How to become one: Registered apprenticeships after high school are the standard path, through unions or employers.
Why earnings rise: Commercial HVAC, testing and balancing, and architectural metal command premium rates.
Good to know: Shop fabrication and field installation both appear in this trade, so workers pick the mix that suits them.

Core service trades outside the top 18

Electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians miss the top 18 on median pay by a few thousand dollars at most. Their top earners still clear six figures. Licensing or business ownership raises the ceiling further. These service trades also sit at the center of contracting work, so they deserve a close look alongside the list above.

Electricians: California electricians earn a median of $76,160 in state wage data, and the top 10% make $140,340 or more. Electricians working for a C-10 contractor need state electrician certification. Trainees register with the state and work toward it during approved training. This guide to the electrical license in California covers each step.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters: Plumbers earn a median of $72,830 in California, and the top 10% make $131,100 or more. Commercial piping, medical gas and backflow testing sit at the high end of plumbing pay. These plumbing industry statistics show where demand and workforce gaps lie.
HVAC and refrigeration mechanics: HVAC technicians earn a median of $72,560 in California, and the top 10% make $109,060 or more. Refrigerant work calls for EPA Section 608 certification. Commercial refrigeration pays at the top of the range.
Security and fire alarm installers: Alarm installers earn a median of $71,570 in California, and the top 10% make $98,710 or more. Fire alarm inspection and access control bring steady service work.
Solar photovoltaic installers: Solar installers earn a median of $60,600 in California, and the top 10% make $83,770 or more. Federal projections call for 36.5 percent national growth from 2025 to 2035, the fastest among the trades in this guide.

What affects trade salaries in California?

Trade pay in California rises with licensing level, specialization, union coverage, overtime and the region where you work. Compare each median with the figure in parentheses to see how far skill and experience move earnings inside one trade. The levers below explain most of that spread. You control a few of them.

License and journeyperson level: Apprentices earn a share of the journeyperson rate that climbs as they log hours. California's Division of Apprenticeship Standards registers the programs that set those steps.
Union coverage: Union members in construction and extraction jobs earned a national median of $1,561 per week in 2025. Nonunion workers in the same jobs earned $1,004 per week.
Overtime and shift work: Storm response, plant shutdowns and night paving add premium hours. Under California overtime law, nonexempt workers earn one and one-half times their regular rate for hours over eight in a workday.
Specialization: Niche skills such as relay testing, medical gas and fiber splicing mark the top earners in their trades.
Service and maintenance work: Maintenance agreements and repeat service calls keep HVAC, electrical and alarm technicians busy year-round, which steadies income between projects.
Region: Metro pay differs across California, and each wage link in the table breaks pay down by metro area, so check yours before you move.
Business ownership: A licensed tradesperson who runs a contracting business earns the margin on each job in addition to a wage.

How to choose the best trade job in California for you

Pay matters, but the right trade also fits your body, schedule and long-term plans. Work through the questions below before you commit to an apprenticeship or training program. Your answers narrow the table to two or three trades worth a closer look. They also give you sharper questions for people who already work in them.

How long a training route suits you, and does it pay while you learn?
Which credential or license does the trade need, and how soon do you earn it?
How do you feel about heights, confined spaces, weather and heavy lifting?
Do you prefer steady service routes or project-based construction work?
Is the trade growing, and does it open a path to estimator, inspector or owner?
Would you rather skip a four-year degree and its student debt?

Next, search California's registered apprenticeship listings and ask working tradespeople what a normal week looks like.

Build a trade career with room to grow

The highest-paying trades in California reward the same qualities over time: a license, a specialty and a reputation for good work. Tradespeople climb from apprentice to journeyperson to lead technician, then into estimating, service management or a shop of their own. Each step raises the ceiling on what the career pays and how much control you have.

Running that shop adds quotes, schedules, crews, materials and invoices on top of the trade itself. Owner-operators use field service management software to keep those jobs organized from the first call to the final invoice.

When you're ready to plan that step, explore software for trades businesses built around electrical, plumbing, HVAC and other contracting work.

Frequently asked questions

What trade gets paid the most in California?

Elevator and escalator installation is the highest-paid trade in California, with median pay of $141,180 in 2025 state wage data. The top 10% of these workers make $173,920 or more. Power-line installers and substation repairers follow, and none of the three calls for a four-year degree.

What trades can make $100,000 a year in California?

Five trades pay a California median above $100,000: elevator installers at $141,180, power-line installers, substation repairers, mechanical insulation workers and building inspectors at $101,290. Top earners clear that mark in other trades too, and California electricians in the highest-paid tenth make $140,340 or more.

What are the best trade jobs in California without a four-year degree?

The best trades in California for pay all start without a bachelor's degree. BLS entry data lists a high school diploma or a postsecondary certificate for each one, followed by on-the-job training or an apprenticeship. Elevator, power-line and substation work pay the most among these routes, and apprentices earn wages while they train.

How long does it take to learn a trade in California?

Plan on roughly 18 months to four years or longer. The FAA mechanic certificate calls for 18 months of practical experience for one rating. Cal/OSHA elevator mechanic certification calls for three years of conveyance industry work. A license from the Contractors State License Board takes four years of journey-level experience.

Do union trade jobs pay more in California?

Yes, union trade workers earn more on average. Nationally, union members in construction and extraction jobs earned a median of $1,561 per week in 2025. Nonunion workers in the same jobs earned $1,004 per week. In California, union apprenticeships also set pay steps that rise as apprentices log hours, which makes the premium visible from the start.

Are trade jobs in demand in California?

Yes, and demand runs strongest in energy and building service trades. BLS projections show 2025 to 2035 national growth for HVAC technicians at 10.9 percent, power-line installers at 10.3 percent and electricians at 9.2 percent. Solar installers lead at 36.5 percent, while telecom line installer jobs shrink by 3.4 percent.

Updated: September 30, 2026

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