Gas Plant Operator salary in California
Gas Plant Operators in California earn a median of $130,220 a year ($62.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,400 for the top 10%. That is 48% higher than the national median of $87,820. California ranks 1st of 43 states for gas plant operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $120,680, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,610 | $44.52 |
| 25th percentile | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Median | $130,220 | $62.61 |
| 75th percentile | $134,800 | $64.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,400 | $67.50 |
| Average (mean) | $120,680 | $58.02 |
Half of gas plant operators 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 | $10,851.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,425.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,008.46 |
| Weekly | $2,504.23 |
| Hourly | $62.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Gas Plant Operator salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $125,550 | 210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $124,480 | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,900 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $103,250 | $49.64 |
| Power Plant Operator | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $87,550 | $42.09 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $137,570 | $66.14 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Baker | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8092. 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 gas plant operator make in California?
The median salary for gas plant operators in California is $130,220 a year, or $62.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in California?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in California earn at least $140,400 a year. The top 25% earn $134,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,610 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $104,100 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in California?
About 800 gas plant operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.