Plumber in Redding, CA

The Salary Picture: Where Redding Stands

If you're a plumber looking at Redding, the first number you need to know is $63,882 per year. That's the median annual salary for plumbers in the Redding metro area, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). On an hourly basis, that breaks down to $30.71/hour. It's a solid foundation and, crucially, it sits slightly above the national median for plumbers, which is $63,350/year. Redding isn't a high-cost coastal city like San Francisco, but it's not a low-wage area either—it's in a middle ground that can offer a good quality of life for a skilled tradesperson.

The job market itself is stable but not explosive. There are approximately 185 plumbing jobs in the metro area (BLS data). The 10-year job growth projection is 6%, which is steady. It reflects the ongoing need for new construction, maintenance of older infrastructure in neighborhoods like downtown Redding and the historic Railroad District, and the constant demand for repairs. You're not moving to a boomtown, but you're also not moving to a place where your trade is obsolete.

Here’s how salary breaks down by experience level in the Redding area. Note that these are estimates based on local market trends, BLS data, and industry averages for California.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Typical Role
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$45,000 - $55,000	Apprentice, Helper
Mid-Career (3-7 yrs)	$60,000 - $70,000	Journeyman Plumber
Senior (8-15 yrs)	$70,000 - $85,000	Lead Technician, Service Manager
Expert (15+ yrs)	$85,000+	Master Plumber, Business Owner, Specialty Consultant

Redding vs. Other California Cities:

• Redding: $63,882 median. Lower cost of living than major metros.
• Sacramento Metro: ~$72,000. Higher pay but significantly higher housing costs.
• San Francisco Metro: ~$95,000. Highest pay, but cost of living is in a different stratosphere.
• Fresno Metro: ~$58,000. Slightly lower pay with a comparable cost of living to Redding.

Insider Tip: In Redding, the difference between a good year and a great year often comes down to specialization. Plumbers who get certified in medical gas piping (for hospitals like Shasta Regional Medical Center) or who get their backflow prevention certification (critical for the agricultural and commercial sectors in the north state) can command rates at the top end of the senior bracket.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about what $63,882 means in your pocket. We'll use a single filer with no dependents for this example, assuming a total tax rate of about 22% (federal, state, FICA). This is a simplification, but it's a practical starting point.

• Gross Annual Salary: $63,882
• Estimated Annual Taxes (22%): ~$14,050
• Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay: $49,832
• Monthly Take-Home Pay: ~$4,153

Now, let's factor in the local cost of living. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Redding is $1,132/month. The overall Cost of Living Index is 102.8, meaning it's 2.8% higher than the national average, driven primarily by housing and utilities.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $63,882:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$4,153	After taxes
Rent (1BR Avg)	$1,132	Can range from $950 in older complexes to $1,400+ in new builds.
Utilities	$200	Electricity, gas, water, internet. AC in summer is a must.
Groceries	$350	Comparable to national averages.
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	Essential in Redding; limited public transit.
Gas/Fuel	$180	Commute distances can add up.
Health Insurance	$200	Employer-sponsored plans vary.
Misc./Entertainment	$300	Dining out, hobbies, etc.
Savings/Debt	$1,341	Leftover for savings, student loans, retirement.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but it requires planning. The median home price in Redding is around $425,000. With a $63,882 salary, a $425,000 home is at the upper limit of affordability using standard 28/36 rule (28% of gross income on housing). A 20% down payment is $85,000, which is a significant hurdle for most.

Insider Tip: Many local plumbers buy homes in neighborhoods like Brentwood or Lake Redding after 5-7 years in the trade. They often start with a fixer-upper in an area like east Redding (e.g., near Hilltop Drive) where prices are lower. The key is to avoid the premium-priced areas near the Sundial Bridge and Shasta College for your first purchase.

Where the Jobs Are: Redding's Major Employers

The plumbing job market in Redding is a mix of large contractors, specialized service companies, and public entities. Here are the places to target:

1. Sunseri Construction & Engineering: A major regional contractor based in Redding. They handle large commercial, industrial, and public works projects. They hire apprentices and journeyman plumbers for new construction, especially for projects like the Shasta County Courthouse modernization or new school facilities. Hiring is tied to public bond measures.
2. Redding Electric Utility (REU): While primarily an electric utility, REU manages the city's water and wastewater infrastructure. They employ plumbers and pipefitters for municipal water treatment and distribution systems. These are union jobs (IBEW) with excellent benefits and stability.
3. Shasta Regional Medical Center & Mercy Medical Center: Both hospitals require specialized medical gas plumbers and maintenance staff for their facilities. These roles often require specific certifications and offer higher-than-average wages. Check their facilities management job postings directly.
4. Local 290 (United Association): The Plumbers and Pipefitters union local is a major employer. They dispatch members to commercial and industrial projects across the north state. Being a union member connects you to large-scale projects like the ongoing work at the McArthur-Burney Falls State Park visitor center or renewable energy projects in the region.
5. North State Plumbing (Example of Regional Service Co): Redding has several established residential and commercial service companies. These are the go-to employers for service and repair work. Hiring is consistent, and they often sponsor apprentices. A company like this might service everything from homes in Shasta Highlands to commercial buildings on Hilltop Drive.
6. Shasta College: The college's physical plant department hires plumbers for campus maintenance. These are stable, public-sector jobs with good hours and benefits.
7. Self-Employment/Small Business: Redding's lower overhead makes it feasible to start a small service company. Many plumbers work for a company for 7-10 years, build a client base, and then go out on their own. The key is networking with local real estate agents and property managers.

Hiring Trend: Demand is strongest for service and repair plumbers who can handle emergencies (24/7) and for plumbers with commercial/industrial experience. New construction is steady but can be project-dependent. Union jobs are competitive, and having your journeyman license is a baseline requirement.

Getting Licensed in CA

California's licensing is handled by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). It's a rigorous process, but it's the gatekeeper to higher wages and independent work.

Process & Timeline:

1. Apprenticeship (4-5 years): This is the most common path. You'll need to complete 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 360 hours of classroom instruction through a recognized program. The North State Apprenticeship Training Center (affiliated with Local 290) is the primary route in this region.
2. Journeyman License: After completing your apprenticeship, you can take the state exam to become a journeyman plumber. This allows you to work for a licensed contractor. Total time from start: 4-5 years.
3. Contractor's License (C-36): To own a business or work as an independent contractor, you need a C-36 license. This requires:
   • 4 years of journeyman-level experience.
   • Passing a two-part state exam (business/law and trade).
   • Costs: Exam fees ($300), licensing fees ($400), plus bond and insurance requirements (which can be several thousand dollars annually).

Insider Tip: Start your apprenticeship application before moving to Redding if you can. The waitlist for the North State program can be long. Many plumbers get their start by working as a non-union helper for a local service company while waiting for an apprenticeship slot to open up.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live in Redding impacts your commute, social life, and budget. Here are 4-5 areas plumbers tend to favor:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Why Plumbers Live Here
Brentwood / Lake Redding	Quiet, established, near the river. 10-15 min commute to most job sites.	$1,200 - $1,500	Great for families. Close to outdoor recreation. More affordable than the hilltops.
Downtown / Railroad District	Walkable, historic, near bars/restaurants. 5-10 min commute.	$1,100 - $1,350	Younger plumbers love the vibe. Older buildings mean more repair work nearby.
East Redding (Hilltop/Churn Creek)	Suburban, mix of ages. 10-20 min commute.	$950 - $1,200	Best value. More affordable rent/sale prices. Closer to the I-5 corridor for travel jobs.
West Redding (near I-5)	Convenient, no-frills. 5-15 min commute.	$1,000 - $1,300	Easy access to highway for service calls across the region. Less scenic.
Shasta Highlands / Cascade	Upscale, newer homes. 15-25 min commute to downtown.	$1,400+ (rentals scarce)	Typically for senior plumbers who have bought homes. Not ideal for renting.

Insider Tip: If you're a service plumber, living central (like downtown or east Redding) minimizes your fuel costs and drive time for emergency calls. Contractors working on large sites (like Sunseri projects) might prefer the west side for quicker highway access.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Redding, career growth is less about corporate ladders and more about skill acquisition and entrepreneurship.

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Medical Gas Piping: Can add $5-$10/hour to your rate. Essential for hospital work.
  • Backflow Prevention: A certification that allows you to test and repair backflow devices. Required by law for many commercial and agricultural systems. Opens up a recurring, high-margin service niche.
  • Green Plumbing/PEX Expertise: As new construction grows, expertise in modern water-efficient systems is valued.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Service Tech to Service Manager: Move from the van to the office, managing schedules and customer service.
  2. Journeyman to Project Foreman: Oversee crews on commercial/industrial job sites.
  3. Employee to Business Owner: The ultimate goal. Start a small residential service company. Overhead in Redding is lower than in major metros, making this viable.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% growth is solid. The driving forces will be the aging housing stock (especially pre-1980 homes in the Bella Vista and Enterprise areas), ongoing commercial development, and the need to upgrade municipal water systems. Plumbers who adapt to new technologies and codes will thrive.

The Verdict: Is Redding Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Cost of Living: You can live comfortably on the median salary.	Job Market Size: Limited number of employers; competition for the best union and hospital jobs.
Work-Life Balance: Less grind than major metros; easier access to outdoor recreation (Shasta-Trinity National Forest is your backyard).	Isolation: It's a regional hub, but it's a 2-hour drive to Sacramento or 4 hours to the Bay Area. Limited cultural/diversity options compared to big cities.
Strong Trade Respect: Skilled tradespeople are valued in the community.	Seasonal Volatility: Construction can slow down in the heavy winter rains, affecting project-based work.
Stable Growth: Steady demand, not a boom-bust cycle.	Career Ceiling: Without starting your own business, top-end earnings are capped compared to major metros.

Final Recommendation:
Redding is an excellent choice for a plumber who values quality of life and affordability over high-octane career growth. It's perfect for a journeyman plumber with 3-7 years of experience looking to buy a first home, or for a family seeking a slower pace with easy access to nature. It's less ideal for a new apprentice expecting a multitude of job options or for an expert plumber aiming for the absolute highest wages in the state without owning a business.

If you're a self-starter, willing to get specialized certifications, and dream of owning a home near a river or mountain, Redding is a fantastic fit.

FAQs

Q: What's the best way to find a plumbing job in Redding?
A: For union jobs, contact Local 290 directly. For non-union commercial work, check Sunseri Construction's career page. For service jobs, look on Indeed and company websites like North State Plumbing. Also, walk into local supply houses (like Ferguson or WinSupply) and ask for advice—they know who's hiring.

Q: Is the cost of living really as low as it seems?
A: Housing is more affordable than in California's major metros, but utilities (especially electricity for AC in summer) and car-related costs (insurance, gas) are significant. The 102.8 cost of living index is accurate; budget carefully.

Q: Do I need to know Spanish in Redding?
A: While not mandatory, it's a major asset. The Central Valley and north state have large Spanish-speaking populations, both in clients and on job sites. Being bilingual can set you apart.

Q: How do winters in Redding affect plumbing work?
A: Winters are mild but wet. The main issues are occasional frost on exposed pipes in older neighborhoods (like some parts of downtown) and increased call volume for clogs and drainage issues from rain. It's not a major slowdown, but project-based outdoor work can pause during heavy storms.

Q: Can I get my contractor's license while working in Redding?
A: Absolutely. You need 4 years of experience as a journeyman. Many plumbers in Redding get their C-36 license and serve the entire north state, from Redding to Mount Shasta to Chico. The process is the same as anywhere in California; just plan for the costs of the exam and bond.

Data Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), Zillow/Rentometer for housing data, City-Data for cost of living indices.