OPENABCRELOCATION OK
ABC NorCal (Livermore, CA)
Livermore, CA · Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, Painting, Construction Craft Laborer
Year 1 wage
$16–$22/hr
Journeyman
$34–$48/hr
Verified May 18, 20264 yr · 8,000 OJT hrs · No app fee
Apprenticeships
California.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
40,948
active construction apprentices
30+
registered programs (DOL)
2
verified open now
DOL RAPIDS data as of FY26 Q1 (March 2026)
Active Apprentices by Trade
California · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 40,948 total
Electrician
7,939 apprentices$22.96/hr avg start
Laborer
7,368 apprentices$24.32/hr avg start
Carpenter
5,103 apprentices$28.67/hr avg start
Other Construction
5,029 apprentices$26.72/hr avg start
Plumber
2,916 apprentices$26.38/hr avg start
Ironworker
2,114 apprentices$25.01/hr avg start
Roofer
1,944 apprentices$23.98/hr avg start
Sheet Metal Worker
1,822 apprentices$24.93/hr avg start
+9 additional trades not shown
Electrician
$22.96/hr
avg starting wage
Laborer
$24.32/hr
avg starting wage
Carpenter
$28.67/hr
avg starting wage
Other Construction
$26.72/hr
avg starting wage
What journeymen earn in California · BLS OEWS 2025 · median hourly
Electricians
$36.36/hr
~$76K/yr
Plumbers & Pipefitters
$32.02/hr
~$67K/yr
HVAC Techs
$34.07/hr
~$71K/yr
Line Installers
$62.72/hr
~$130K/yr
BLS OEWS median across 25 metro areas in California. Apprentices start at ~40–50% and graduate to full journeyman scale.
Verified Programs
Manually confirmed by PlumbSquare — application status current as of research date
OPENS SOONUNION JATCRELOCATION OK
SoCal SMA Sheet Metal (City of Industry, CA)
City of Industry, CA · Sheet Metal / HVAC
Year 1 wage
$25–$26/hr
Journeyman
$48–$58/hr
Verified May 18, 20264 yr · 8,000 OJT hrs · No app fee
2 manually verified. California has additional DOL-registered programs below and at Apprenticeship.gov →
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in California with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Southwest Carpenters and Affiliated Trades JATC Union/Labor | Ontario | CarpenterPainter/FinisherGlazier | 6,185 | UNION |
Northern California District Council of Laborers Union/Labor | SAN RAMON | Laborer | 3,965 | UNION |
CARPENTERS TRAINING TRUST FUND FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MOSI Union/Labor | Pleasanton | CarpenterRooferPainter/Finisher | 3,644 | UNION |
Laborers Southern California Apprenticeship Program | Azusa | Laborer | 3,020 | UNION |
Los Angeles County Electrical JATC | CITY OF COMMERCE | Electrician | 1,676 | UNION |
Western Electrical Contractor's Association (WECA) | Rancho Cordova | Electrician | 1,156 | non-union |
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT COUNCIL OF LABORERS TRAFFIC CONTROL LABORER AND PARKING & HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT LABORER JATC | SAN RAMON | Laborer | 889 | UNION |
Operating Engineers JATC for 46 Northern Counties in CA Union/Labor | SLOUGHHOUSE | Operating Engineer | 879 | UNION |
SO CA Operating Engineers JAC | Whittier | Operating Engineer | 798 | UNION |
Southern California Paint and Decorators JAC Union/Labor | Commerce | Painter/Finisher | 741 | UNION |
San Diego & Imperial County Electrical JATC Union/Labor | San Diego | Electrician | 690 | UNION |
Associated Builders and Contractors - Southern California Chapter | Anaheim | Sheet Metal WorkerElectricianPlumber | 681 | non-union |
Southern California Sheet Metal JATC Union/Labor | City of Industry | Sheet Metal WorkerElectrician | 680 | UNION |
Associated General Contractors of America - San Diego Chapter Business Association | Lakeside | Bricklayer/MasonPainter/FinisherOperating Engineer+2 | 669 | non-union |
Southern California Cement Masons JAC | Arcadia | Bricklayer/Mason | 648 | UNION |
The International Association of Bridge & Structural Ironworkers - Local 433 Union/Labor | LA PALMA | Ironworker | 608 | UNION |
Painters and Tapers JATC of Northern CA | SAN LEANDRO | Painter/Finisher | 581 | UNION |
Bay Area Sheet Metal JATC Union/Labor | Livermore | HVAC TechnicianSheet Metal Worker | 579 | UNION |
SANTA CLARA COUNTY EJATC | Milpitas | Electrician | 579 | UNION |
Southern California Roofers & Waterproofers JATC | Pomona | Roofer | 579 | UNION |
DISTRICT COUNCIL #36 PAINTER, PAPERHANGER, AND DECORATOR JATC | COMMERCE | Painter/Finisher | 532 | UNION |
Southern California Elevator Constructor JATC Union/Labor | Glendora | Elevator Constructor | 510 | UNION |
Northern California Cement Masons JATC Union/Labor | Livermore | Bricklayer/Mason | 510 | UNION |
UA Local 342 Plumbers & Pipefitters JATC | Concord | PlumberHVAC Technician | 504 | UNION |
Independent Roofing Contractors of California, Inc | RIPON | Roofer | 495 | non-union |
CAL-NEV POWER LINEMAN J.A.T.C. | RIVERSIDE | Line Worker | 480 | UNION |
Sacramento Valley Roofers & Waterproofers JATC | Sacramento | Roofer | 472 | UNION |
NORTHERN NEVADA ELECTRICAL J.A.T.C. | RENO | Other Construction | 466 | UNION |
LOS ANGELES & ORANGE COUNTIES AIR-CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION J.A.T.C. | SAN DIMAS | Other Construction | 464 | UNION |
Sacramento Electrical JATC | SACRAMENTO | Electrician | 464 | UNION |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in California may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in California?
Apply to a JATC or non-union program. Requirements: high school diploma or GED, basic math test, proof of age (18+). Some programs add physical requirements or drug testing. Application windows open and close seasonally — check program status before applying.
Are apprenticeships in California free?
Yes. Every DOL-registered apprenticeship is free to attend. Apprentices are employees, not students — you earn a wage from day one. No tuition, no student loans.
Union vs. non-union — which should I choose?
Union JATCs (IBEW, UA, SMART, UBC) typically offer higher wages, defined pension plans, and health insurance. Non-union programs (ABC, IEC) may have faster acceptance and work with open-shop contractors. Both paths are DOL-registered. Apply to both — take whoever accepts you first.
How long is a trade apprenticeship?
Most trades are 4–5 years (8,000–10,000 OJT hours). HVAC programs run 3–4 years. Lineman training is typically 3–4 years with specialized fieldwork. Every year your wage increases — you're earning near journeyman scale by your final year.
California Licensing
California is a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) state — administers its own apprenticeship system through DAS. CSLB licenses contractors. Strict prevailing wage rules on public work.