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HVAC & Pipefitter Salary in Los Angeles

Metro area wage data from the BLS OEWS program (May 2025), with Davis-Bacon journey-level scale from UA Local 250, effective September 2025.

The federal wage data on this page covers heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, work that is largely service, maintenance, and residential installation. The union scale shown is journeyman pipefitter, which covers refrigerant, chilled water, and hydronic piping on commercial construction and falls under a different federal occupation code than the wage data above. Duct fabrication and installation is sheet metal work, represented by a separate union called SMART (the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers), and is not reflected in either figure.

Wage figures reflect all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master.

California prevailing wage and a district-wide master agreement define the LA pipefitter market.

The Los Angeles metro operates under a master agreement negotiated by Southern California Pipe Trades District Council No. 16, with UA Local 250 covering pipefitting and steamfitting alongside other Southern California locals under one wage scale. Plumber and pipefitter classifications share an identical rate under this agreement, confirmed against the underlying wage determination. California's prevailing wage requirements on public projects set a strong floor, and sustained commercial construction, industrial facility work, and infrastructure projects keep demand consistent.

UA Local 250 journeyman pipefitter Journey-Level Rate

Journey-Level Hourly
$61.73
Effective September 2025
Base wage: $61.73/hr
Benefit contribution: $26.81/hr
Total package: $88.54/hr
Journey-Level Annual
$128,398
Based on 2,080 hrs / year
vs. BLS Area Median
+$54,568
Union scale vs. all-worker median

Union scale reflects the UA Local 250 journeyman pipefitter journey-level rate from the applicable Davis-Bacon wage determination. The BLS area median reflects all HVAC and refrigeration mechanics across all employment types and experience levels.

Training CenterLos Angeles Metropolitan Plumbers JATC
Address1111 W. James M. Wood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Websiteuaplumber78.com
Minimum ScoreNo minimum

Applying to UA Local 250?

The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UA Local 250. See what to expect and how to prepare.

What to expect →

All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels

Median Annual
$73,830
+$12,820 vs. national
Median Hourly
$35.49
vs. California
+$3,720
vs. state average
Total Employed
10,720
In this area

All HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.

Annual Median Wage$73,830
Annual Mean Wage$74,630
Hourly Median Wage$35.49
Hourly Mean Wage$35.88
Total Employed10,720
Area TypeMetropolitan Area

Journey-level rates below are sourced from Davis-Bacon wage determinations, state prevailing wage determinations, or, where a local publishes one directly, its own collective bargaining agreement. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.

UA Local 38
San Francisco
$85.50/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 32
Seattle
$75.21/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 420
Philadelphia
$72.52/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 638
New York
$70.36/hr
Journey-level
UA Local 537
Boston
$66.58/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 230
San Diego
$61.73/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 290
Portland, OR
$60.77/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 533
Kansas City
$57.51/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 597
Chicago
$55.00/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 602
Washington, DC
$55.00/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 189
Columbus, OH
$53.00/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 562
St. Louis
$52.60/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 469
Phoenix
$51.15/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 539
Minneapolis
$51.03/hr
Journey-level · CBA rate
UA Local 449
Pittsburgh
$50.20/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
Pipefitters Local 120
Cleveland, OH
$49.17/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 449
Erie
$48.15/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 486
Baltimore
$47.78/hr
Journey-level · State prevailing wage determination
UA Local 208
Denver
$45.40/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 725
Miami
$43.38/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 392
Cincinnati
$43.30/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 211
Houston
$42.09/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 636
Detroit
$41.96/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 72
Atlanta
$41.18/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination
UA Local 100
Dallas
$39.76/hr
Journey-level · Davis-Bacon determination

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 49-9021 (HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics) - Cross-Industry, All Ownership

Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.