Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in California
Plant and System Operators, All Other in California earn a median of $78,020 a year ($37.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,860 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $62,470. California ranks 7th of 44 states for plant and system operators, all other pay. There are 0.09 plant and system operators, all other per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for plant and system operators, all other in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| 25th percentile | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Median | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| 75th percentile | $95,500 | $45.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,860 | $54.26 |
| Average (mean) | $80,220 | $38.57 |
Half of plant and system operators, all other 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 | $6,501.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,250.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,000.77 |
| Weekly | $1,500.38 |
| Hourly | $37.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $94,420 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $91,310 | 230 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $85,590 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $81,660 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $80,430 | 270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $77,330 | 150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,130 | 400 |
| Fresno, CA | $67,180 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $45,930 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for plant and system operators, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,660 |
| Washington | $88,730 |
| Minnesota | $88,290 |
| Maryland | $81,890 |
| Montana | $81,340 |
| Nevada | $80,000 |
| California | $78,020 |
| Illinois | $77,780 |
| Iowa | $75,800 |
| New York | $74,700 |
See Plant and System Operators, All Other pay in every state.
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 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $130,220 | $62.61 |
| 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 51-8099. 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 plant and system operators, all other make in California?
The median salary for plant and system operators, all other in California is $78,020 a year, or $37.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid plant and system operators, all other make in California?
The top 10% of plant and system operators, all other in California earn at least $112,860 a year. The top 25% earn $95,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for plant and system operators, all other in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,200 a year, and a quarter of plant and system operators, all other earn $63,650 or less.
How many plant and system operators, all other work in California?
About 1,560 plant and system operators, all other are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.