§ 01
Licensing boards.
| Trade | Board | Lookup |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor (all trades) | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | Verify license → |
| Electrician (certified) | California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) | Verify license → |
Source: state licensing boards. Links go directly to public licensee lookups where available.
§ 02
Apprenticeship system.
California is a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) state — it runs its own apprenticeship system separately from the federal RAPIDS database. Rules, reporting, and enforcement happen at the state level. You may see different program standards than a neighboring RAPIDS state.
§ 03
Browse by trade in California.
Each page covers the license board, real pay data, apprenticeship path, and state-specific gotchas for that trade in California.
ELECTRICAL
$62K medianElectrician
MECHANICAL
$63K medianPlumber
MECHANICAL
$57K medianHVAC Technician
INDUSTRIAL
$51K medianWelder
CONSTRUCTION
$59K medianIronworker
CONSTRUCTION
$56K medianCarpenter
ELECTRICAL
$93K medianLineman
MECHANICAL
$102K medianElevator Mechanic
MECHANICAL
$59K medianSheet Metal Worker
CONSTRUCTION
$56K medianOperating Engineer
INDUSTRIAL
$62K medianWind Turbine Technician
SERVICE
$60K medianDiesel Mechanic
SERVICE
$48K medianAuto Mechanic
TRANSPORTATION
$54K medianCDL Truck Driver
INDUSTRIAL
$71K medianBoilermaker
CONSTRUCTION
$57K medianMason
CONSTRUCTION
$48K medianPainter (Industrial/Commercial)
CONSTRUCTION
$50K medianRoofer
INDUSTRIAL
$64K medianMillwright
CONSTRUCTION
$51K medianCement Mason
CONSTRUCTION
$52K medianGlazier
MECHANICAL
$54K medianInsulation Worker (Mechanical)
CONSTRUCTION
$49K medianDrywall Installer / Taper
ELECTRICAL
$60K medianLow Voltage Technician
ELECTRICAL
$52K medianSolar PV Installer