Contractor labor rates in California
What 11 trades charge per hour in California, built from May 2025 government wage data. Typical rates run from about $67 (handymen) to $90 (electricians).
Hourly rates by trade in California
| Trade | Typical | Most charge | vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $90 | $70 to $121 | +21% |
| Plumber | $86 | $69 to $118 | +14% |
| HVAC Technician | $85 | $69 to $107 | +19% |
| Carpenter | $89 | $70 to $113 | +25% |
| Roofer | $75 | $70 to $89 | +15% |
| Painter | $70 | $56 to $86 | +19% |
| Drywall Installer | $78 | $66 to $100 | +12% |
| Tile Installer | $69 | $56 to $87 | +6% |
| Concrete Finisher | $74 | $61 to $99 | +10% |
| Brick Mason | $81 | $69 to $94 | +11% |
| Handyman | $67 | $55 to $84 | +15% |
Per hour, per worker. “vs U.S.” compares California wages for the trade with the national median.
Nearby states
Rates are BidFlow estimates, not quotes. Each starts with the May 2025 wage from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, then multiplies by 1.4 for payroll taxes and insurance, divides by 0.8 for hours that can't be billed, and multiplies by 1.4 for overhead and profit. Updated October 2026. How we calculate
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