Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 345 in Los Angeles, CA earn $61.73/hr in base wages, or $90.19/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Feb 2026.
View current trade openings and apply
Active Gulfstream trade listings in the local's state, with Los Angeles listings first when available. Jobs elsewhere in the state are not necessarily near this hall. Union status is not verified for these jobs; confirm with your recruiter.
UA Local 345 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list — call the hall to confirm hours, books and what to bring. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 345 pay scale for 2026 is $61.73 per hour for journeymen in Los Angeles, CA, or about $123,460 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $90.19 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 2/22/26.
| Local 345 journeyman hourly wage | $61.73 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $90.19 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $123,460 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $27.78–$30.87 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 2/22/26 |
| Classification | Plumber, Industrial and General Pipefitter — Los Angeles County determination |
A Local 345 apprentice in Los Angeles, CA starts at roughly $27.78 an hour — about 45% of the $61.73 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $46.30 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 345 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $27.78 / hour | $55,557 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $33.95 / hour | $67,903 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $40.12 / hour | $80,249 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $46.30 / hour | $92,595 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $52.47 / hour | $104,941 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $61.73 / hour | $123,460 |
We'll email you when the UA Local 345 rate is updated, plus union-shop plumbers & pipefitters openings near Los Angeles, CA. Sign up for rate updates. Free alerts from Gulfstream Strategic Placements. We are not affiliated with UA Local 345.
Local 345 wages: $61.73 an hour on the journeyman scale, $90.19 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 2/22/26. That is the most recent Los Angeles, CA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Roughly 32% of the UA Local 345 package is employer-paid benefits and fringes rather than wages, which is why the package figure and a take-home hourly rate are not the same number.
Verified from official source: California DIR general prevailing wage determination LOS-2026-1
Download the UA Local 345 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective February 22, 2026.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | $28.46/hr | Derived: total package minus base wage. This is the employer's combined hourly contribution to the funds, not take-home pay. |
|---|---|---|
| What the contributions fund | Health & welfare, pension, annuity, training and industry funds | Standard fund categories in mechanical and electrical agreements. The exact split between funds is set in the local's agreement — the hall or fund office publishes the schedule. |
| Paid on | Every hour worked | Fringe contributions are made per hour worked, so they scale with dispatched hours and are paid to the funds rather than to the member. |
The rates above are the UA Local 345 scale used across the Los Angeles, CA area. Members dispatched out of this hall work commercial mechanical and process piping, chiller and boiler work, HVAC piping and hydronics and service, retrofit and shutdown work for signatory contractors throughout the Los Angeles metro, so a pipefitters wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits pipefitters talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Los Angeles. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 345 rates. For current Los Angeles scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
UA Local 345 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 626-357-9345 to confirm dispatch procedure, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in. Contact details are imported from the UA, SMART and IBEW public directories. Gulfstream is a private recruiting firm, is not affiliated with the local, and does not control hall dispatch.
United Association Local 345, representing Landscape, Irrigation, and Specialty Piping workers, serves as a critical component of the Southern California construction ecosystem. Headquartered in Los Angeles, this local governs the labor standards for professionals involved in the installation and maintenance of complex water management systems, including landscape irrigation, site drainage, and specialized piping infrastructure. As drought mitigation and water efficiency become permanent fixtures of the California building code, the role of Local 345 becomes increasingly significant for both commercial developers and public works agencies seeking specialized labor for sustainable site development throughout the region.
The market demand for Local 345 members is driven by high-density residential developments, municipal infrastructure projects, and the ongoing expansion of the region's transportation hubs. Unlike general plumbers or pipefitters, these specialists focus on the exterior and landscape-related piping that supports massive urban green spaces and water reclamation systems. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored the labor trends within this niche, noting that the demand for skilled irrigation technicians and specialty pipefitters remains robust as contractors prioritize compliance with evolving environmental regulations and complex landscape architecture designs across Los Angeles and its neighboring counties.
Because UA Local 345 operates under specialized agreements that differ from standard building trades plumbing, the wage scale is highly specific to the classification of work performed. Journeyman rates are established through collective bargaining, with a total package that includes hourly base pay plus employer-contributed fringe benefits. Apprentices typically start at a predetermined percentage of the journeyman rate, often ranging from 45% to 50%, and receive incremental raises every six to twelve months as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. To obtain the current, verified wage schedule and fringe benefit breakdown for the Los Angeles market, tradespersons or contractors should contact the Local 345 business office directly to ensure compliance with the most recent Master Labor Agreement.
The jurisdiction of Local 345 is expansive, covering several key counties within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area and extending into parts of Southern California. The charter encompasses the installation and service of all landscape irrigation systems, site drainage, and specialty piping that falls outside the scope of traditional interior plumbing. This includes work on golf courses, sports complexes, highway beautification projects, and large-scale master-planned communities. Members are dispatched from the Los Angeles headquarters to job sites throughout the basin, ensuring that signatory contractors have access to a mobile and technically proficient workforce capable of meeting the rigorous demands of Southern California's specialized water management projects.
The contractor landscape for Local 345 consists of specialized signatory firms ranging from large-scale landscape construction primes to niche irrigation service providers. These contractors often partner with major mechanical primes on massive infrastructure projects to handle the specialized exterior water systems. The hiring environment is characterized by a need for long-term project stability, particularly in public works and municipal contracts where prevailing wage compliance is mandatory. Signatory mechanical contractors in the region rely on Local 345 to provide a steady pipeline of technicians who are specifically trained in the hydraulic and electrical components of modern large-scale irrigation systems.
While both fall under the United Association, Local 345 specifically covers landscape, irrigation, and specialty piping. A standard plumbing local like Local 78 focus on interior potable water and sanitary waste systems. Local 345 members are specialists in exterior water management, large-scale site drainage, and the complex hydraulic controls required for modern landscape architecture and environmental sustainability projects throughout Southern California.
Yes, through the JATC, Local 345 provides ongoing training for its members. This includes certifications in backflow prevention, advanced irrigation controllers, and water auditing. As California's water regulations become more stringent, these continuing education courses ensure that members remain at the forefront of the industry, allowing signatory contractors to maintain a competitive edge when bidding on complex LEED-certified or municipal projects.
Travelers from other UA locals must typically report to the Local 345 business office to register on the out-of-work list. Acceptance of travelers depends on the current local labor demand and the specific certifications held by the individual. Given the niche nature of landscape and irrigation work, travelers should verify their qualifications against the specific project requirements before seeking a dispatch in the Los Angeles jurisdiction.
Local 345 labor is essential for any large-scale development requiring sophisticated exterior water systems. This includes professional sports stadiums, university campuses, public parks, and highway irrigation projects managed by Caltrans. Their members are also frequently utilized in the installation of residential site utilities for master-planned communities, where high-efficiency water usage and specialized piping materials are mandated by state and local building codes.
UA Local 345 is seated in Los Angeles, California (CA). We hold published wage sheets for 49 locals across California — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements recruits mechanical construction and service staff for contractors across Los Angeles, CA, including shops signatory to UA Local 345. See the roles we fill there, how the search runs and what it costs: Los Angeles mechanical recruiter. Post a role.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Los Angeles and the rest of California, including contractors signatory to UA Local 345. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements, 4160 Temescal Canyon Road, Suite 401, Corona, CA 92883. Phone (951) 208-7780. Email hello@gulfstreamsp.com. Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM Pacific.View our verified Google Business Profile
Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 345 pay scale for 2026 is $61.73 per hour for journeymen in Los Angeles, CA, or about $123,460 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $90.19 per hour. That is the rate in force for 2026, effective 2/22/26.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 345 agreement make $61.73 an hour in base wages, or $90.19 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 2/22/26. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$61.73 per hour base wage and $90.19 per hour total package for a journeyman in Los Angeles, CA, effective 2/22/26. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $123,460 before overtime.
A Local 345 apprentice in Los Angeles, CA starts at roughly $27.78 an hour — about 45% of the $61.73 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $46.30 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 345 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $27.78 an hour, or roughly $55,557 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $61.73 journeyman rate effective 2/22/26. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $40.12 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $46.30 an hour in the fourth period and $61.73 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 345 training center.
Local 345 wages: $61.73 an hour on the journeyman scale, $90.19 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 2/22/26. That is the most recent Los Angeles, CA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
The current published UA Local 345 journeyman rate is $61.73 an hour ($90.19 total package), effective 2/22/26 — roughly $123,460 a year at 2,080 hours before overtime. Confirm the effective agreement with the local.
Yes — a one-page printable UA Local 345 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ua-local-345-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $61.73 hourly scale, the $90.19 total package and the 2/22/26 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current UA Local 345 journeyman rate is $61.73/hour, with a total package of $90.19/hour including fringe benefits, effective 2/22/26. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $123,460 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 345 business office before relying on the figure.
The $61.73/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $90.19/hour total package adds employer-paid fringes — health and welfare, pension, annuity, apprenticeship training, and industry funds. Contractors bid work off the total package, so that is the number that matters when comparing plumbers & pipefitters labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the UA Local 345 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40–50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $61.73/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $27.78–$30.87/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 345 is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA and dispatches plumbers & pipefitters manpower throughout its chartered jurisdiction. Work performed inside that territory falls under the local's collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule, even when the contractor is based elsewhere and travels in.
Most locals require applicants to be at least 18, legally able to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a basic math/aptitude assessment and a drug screen, and be physically able to perform plumbers & pipefitters work. Some Local 345 programs give preference to applicants inside the jurisdiction or to veterans. Eligibility rules are set by the local's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), so confirm the current criteria with the hall before applying.
Apprenticeship applications go through the UA Local 345 JATC, not through a contractor or a recruiter. Applications typically open in defined intake windows each year: you submit the application with proof of age, education, and residency, sit for an aptitude test, and then interview. Ranked applicants are placed on an eligibility list and indentured as signatory contractors call for apprentices. Gulfstream Strategic Placements does not process apprenticeship applications — contact the Local 345 training center directly.
Plumbers & Pipefitters apprenticeships generally run four to five years — roughly 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus several hundred classroom hours per year. Apprentices earn a paycheck the entire time, stepping up through the wage periods until they turn out as journeymen at 100% of scale.
Signatory contractors hire through the local's hiring hall, so working under the UA Local 345 agreement generally means being a member or being organized in through the local's process. Journeymen from other locals can travel in by signing the out-of-work book, subject to the local's referral rules and manpower needs. Non-union plumbers & pipefitters professionals are usually placed with open-shop contractors instead — we recruit for both.
Rates move with the collective bargaining agreement, typically on a fixed anniversary date each year of a three- to five-year contract, with negotiated increases split between the base wage and the fringe package. The figures on this page reflect the 2/22/26 schedule; check with the Local 345 business office for any increase that has taken effect since.
Wage rates vary widely by local and market. Use the Union Pay Scale Explorer to sort every UA and SMART local by hourly wage, total package, and annualized pay so you can benchmark Local 345 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
The UA Local 345 hall is at 1430 Huntington Dr Duarte, CA 91010, serving Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 626-357-9345.
UA Local 345 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 626-357-9345 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
UA Local 345 can be reached at 626-357-9345. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.
$61.73/hr in base wages for plumber, industrial and general pipefitter — los angeles county determination, or $90.19/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective February 22, 2026 per the California DIR general prevailing wage determination LOS-2026-1 wage determination.
February 22, 2026. Read directly from the primary source (California DIR general prevailing wage determination LOS-2026-1) and cross-checked at build time. Highest confidence for offer benchmarking.
No — the $61.73/hr base is wages only. Employers contribute roughly $28.46/hr more per hour worked to health and welfare, pension, annuity and training funds, which is the difference between the base and the $90.19/hr package.
No. Gulfstream Strategic Placements is a private mechanical construction recruiting firm. We are not affiliated with the local, we do not run dispatch, and we do not set or negotiate union rates. We publish the local's own sourced figures as a reference for members and contractors.
High confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Sep 14, 2026 (16 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.