Taper salary in California
Tapers in California earn a median of $73,460 a year ($35.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,370 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $68,270. California ranks 9th of 27 states for tapers pay. There are 0.25 tapers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for tapers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| 25th percentile | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| Median | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| 75th percentile | $88,540 | $42.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,370 | $55.47 |
| Average (mean) | $76,260 | $36.67 |
Half of tapers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,060.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,825.38 |
| Weekly | $1,412.69 |
| Hourly | $35.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Taper salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $92,810 | 480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,840 | 470 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $76,720 | 420 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $75,850 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $69,340 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $68,270 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,020 | 1,220 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $61,870 | 110 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $59,740 | 730 |
Highest-paying states for tapers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $113,180 |
| Hawaii | $95,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,240 |
| Washington | $79,040 |
| Minnesota | $78,090 |
| New York | $77,790 |
| Kansas | $74,120 |
| Ohio | $73,840 |
| California | $73,460 |
| Oregon | $71,450 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taper make in California?
The median salary for tapers in California is $73,460 a year, or $35.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tapers make in California?
The top 10% of tapers in California earn at least $115,370 a year. The top 25% earn $88,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for tapers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,800 a year, and a quarter of tapers earn $59,760 or less.
How many tapers work in California?
About 4,540 tapers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.