Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 78 in Los Angeles, CA earn $61.73/hr in base wages, or $90.19/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Aug 2025.
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The Local 78 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 8/22/25.
| Local 78 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 to 50% of scale) | $27.78 to $30.87 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 8/22/25 |
| Classification | Plumber: Industrial and General Pipefitter |
Apply now | Gulfstream places plumbers & pipefitters candidates with mechanical contractors. These are direct-hire contractor roles, not union dispatch.
A Local 78 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 78 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 |
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 78 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.
UA Local 78 pay rates and union rules
UA Local 78 does not post an online application we could verify; contact the hall by phone for dispatch or apprenticeship. To be considered for direct-hire roles with mechanical, electrical and sheet metal contractors in this area, apply to Gulfstream. This is not an application to the union.
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Local 78 wages: $61.73 an hour on the journeyman scale, $90.19 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 8/22/25. 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 78 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 prevailing wage determination LOS-2025-2
Download the UA Local 78 pay scale (PDF), one-page printable rate sheet, effective August 22, 2025.
| 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 78 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, electrical, 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 78 rates. For current Los Angeles scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
UA Local 78 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall, call 213-688-9090 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 78 represents the skilled plumbing professionals throughout the City of Los Angeles and surrounding territories, serving as a primary labor source for the region's most complex commercial and industrial developments. The local maintains a strict focus on providing highly trained manpower to signatory contractors who handle everything from hospital medical gas installations to stadium infrastructure. As a cornerstone of the Southern California building trades, this organization ensures that all piping work meets stringent California plumbing codes while maintaining a stable pipeline of certified journeymen.
The Los Angeles market demands a high level of technical proficiency due to the density of the urban landscape and the prevalence of seismic construction requirements. Members of Local 78 are tasked with the installation, maintenance, and repair of water, gas, and waste systems across diverse sectors including healthcare, education, and hospitality. For contractors, the local provides a centralized dispatch for pre-vetted labor, reducing the overhead associated with recruitment and training. For the tradesperson, the union offers a structured career path backed by collective bargaining, ensuring that compensation remains commensurate with the high cost of living and the technical demands of the Southern California construction industry.
Based on data effective October 21, 2022, the journeyman hourly rate is established at $53.00, which is also currently listed as the base total package figure. In standard UA structures, apprentices begin their five-year term at a percentage of this journeyman rate—typically starting around 40-45% and increasing in 5% or 10% increments every six to twelve months as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. It is important to note that the total package figure provided reflects a base level and may be subject to additional fringe benefit allocations not explicitly broken down in the current summary. Tradespeople should contact the Local 78 business office to confirm the most recent hourly adjustments and the specific breakdown of employer-paid benefits.
The signatory contractor landscape for UA Local 78 is comprised of large-scale mechanical primes and specialized plumbing firms that dominate the Southern California skyline. These contractors range from national mechanical corporations to regional family-owned enterprises that have operated in Los Angeles since 2014. The hiring environment is often project-based, with significant manpower spikes occurring during the construction of high-rise developments, healthcare facilities, and public works projects. Signatory partners rely on the local's training center to supply foremen and general foremen who can manage large crews and navigate the complexities of L.A. Department of Building and Safety inspections.
UA Local 78 is specifically chartered as a Plumbers local within the City of Los Angeles. While other nearby locals may focus on steamfitting or HVAC service, Local 78 is the primary authority for plumbing systems in the metropolitan core, ensuring that specialized plumbing codes and city-specific regulations are met by all signatory contractors operating in the L.A. market.
Yes, many projects within the Local 78 jurisdiction involve healthcare facilities and laboratories that require ASSE 6010 Medical Gas Installer certification. The local’s training center provides the necessary coursework and testing to ensure members can meet the demands of these highly technical and regulated job sites throughout Southern California.
Travelers looking to work in Los Angeles must report to the Local 78 dispatch hall with a valid travel card from their home local. Work availability depends on the current local out-of-work list and the specific needs of signatory contractors. Travelers are expected to meet the same certification standards as local members to be eligible for dispatch.
Wage adjustments are typically negotiated as part of the Multi-Employer Agreement and usually occur on an annual or semi-annual basis. These increases are often split between the hourly take-home pay and the various fringe benefit funds. Members and contractors should verify the latest wage schedule directly with the union for the most current figures.
UA Local 78 is seated in Los Angeles, California (CA). We hold published wage sheets for 50 locals across California, compare nearby scales before you take a call.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements recruits mechanical, electrical and plumbing staff for contractors across Los Angeles, CA, including shops signatory to UA Local 78. See the roles we fill there, how the search runs and what it costs: Los Angeles mechanical recruiter. Post a role.
We are a commercial MEP recruiting firm serving Los Angeles and the rest of California, including contractors signatory to UA Local 78. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place 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 to Friday, 7:00 AM to 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 78 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 8/22/25.
UA Local 78 wages for 2026: journeyman Plumbers & Pipefitters rate of $61.73 per hour in Los Angeles, CA, with a total package of $90.19 per hour including fringe benefits, effective 8/22/25. Apprentices are paid a graduated percentage of that rate. Confirm any increase since 8/22/25 with the UA Local 78 business office.
The UA Local 78 wage sheet on this page lists the journeyman scale of $61.73 per hour ($90.19 per hour total package), effective 8/22/25, plus the apprentice percentage steps. The official sheet is published by the UA Local 78 business office; figures here come from that published schedule, so confirm any increase dated after 8/22/25 with the hall.
Local 78 apprentices earn a graduated percentage of the $61.73 per hour journeyman rate, typically starting near 40 to 50% ($27.78 to $30.87 per hour) in the first period and stepping up each period to 100% at turnout. The exact percentage schedule is set by the UA Local 78 JATC, so confirm the current apprentice sheet with the training center.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 78 agreement make $61.73 an hour in base wages, or $90.19 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 8/22/25. 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 8/22/25. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $123,460 before overtime.
A Local 78 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 78 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 8/22/25. 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 78 training center.
Local 78 wages: $61.73 an hour on the journeyman scale, $90.19 an hour with fringe benefits added, effective 8/22/25. 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 78 journeyman rate is $61.73 an hour ($90.19 total package), effective 8/22/25, 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 78 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/ua-local-78-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $61.73 hourly scale, the $90.19 total package and the 8/22/25 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download, no sign-up needed.
The current UA Local 78 journeyman rate is $61.73/hour, with a total package of $90.19/hour including fringe benefits, effective 8/22/25. 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 78 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 78 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40 to 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 to $30.87/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 78 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 78 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 78 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 78 training center directly.
Plumbers & Pipefitters apprenticeships generally run four to five years, roughly 8,000 to 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 78 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 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 8/22/25 schedule; check with the Local 78 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 78 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
Yes, the openings section on this page lists current plumbers & pipefitters roles near Los Angeles, CA, and you can apply directly through the apply form on this page. These are direct-hire positions with mechanical contractors that Gulfstream recruits for, not union dispatch or hall referrals. For the hall's out-of-work list, contact the Local 78 business office.
The UA Local 78 hall is at 1111 W James M Wood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90015, serving Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 213-688-9090.
UA Local 78 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 213-688-9090 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 78 can be reached at 213-688-9090. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing, confirm hours with the hall.
Apply through the local's joint apprenticeship training committee (JATC). Most programs open applications on a set schedule and require an aptitude test and interview. For UA Local 78's current application window and requirements, contact the hall at 213-688-9090.
Each Plumbers & Pipefitters local sets its own intake process, and it varies. The common paths: apprenticeship through the JATC; organizing in as an experienced worker, since journeymen and technicians already working in the trade can usually apply directly to the hall for membership; or transferring from another local of the same international with a transfer card from your current hall. For fees and requirements, contact the hall at 213-688-9090.
UA Local 78's published sources state: Minimum 75% placement test score for interview; Apprentice applications by appointment only. Source: UA Local 78's published materials; figures can change, so confirm with the hall.
UA Local 78's published sources list: Health & Welfare Fund; Local 78 pension; Annuity fund; Apprentice training fund. Source: UA Local 78's published materials; figures can change, so confirm with the hall.
UA Local 78's sourced plumber: industrial and general pipefitter union rate is $61.73/hr in base wages and $90.19/hr for the total package, effective August 22, 2025. The rate applies to the listed classification and source area; apprentice, foreman and specialty classifications may differ.
$61.73/hr in base wages for plumber: industrial and general pipefitter, or $90.19/hr counting employer-paid benefits and fringes, effective August 22, 2025 per the California DIR prevailing wage determination LOS-2025-2 wage determination.
August 22, 2025. Read directly from the primary source (California DIR prevailing wage determination LOS-2025-2) 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 MEP 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 19, 2026 (2 months ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.
Coverage unverified, contact the hall. No reviewed published boundary is held for this local; office location does not establish jurisdiction.
Coverage map and city lookup · Hall contact
Plumber: Industrial and General Pipefitter · Effective 8/22/25 · Base wage $61.73/hr · Published package $90.19/hr
California DIR prevailing wage determination LOS-2025-2
Confirm the current agreement, classification, zone and effective schedule with the hall; a package is not take-home pay.
Minimum 75% placement test score for interview
Apprentice applications by appointment only
Health & Welfare Fund
Local 78 pension
Annuity fund
Apprentice training fund
Published membership source, confirm current terms with the hall.
Rates and sources · Membership and apprenticeship · Official hall contact · Send a recruiting inquiry to Gulfstream · Compare Rates
Recruiting inquiries go to Gulfstream, not UA Local 78. Membership, dispatch and apprenticeship applications must go directly to the hall. Gulfstream is union-independent and recruits for commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors.
We fill union-covered and salaried roles for union and merit-shop mechanical contractors: project managers, superintendents, estimators and service staff. Hall dispatch stays with the local.