Power Plant Operator salary in California
Power Plant Operators in California earn a median of $105,210 a year ($50.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,800 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $102,040. California ranks 19th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.14 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $110,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,510 | $30.54 |
| 25th percentile | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Median | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| 75th percentile | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,800 | $82.60 |
| Average (mean) | $110,960 | $53.35 |
Half of power 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 | $8,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,383.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,046.54 |
| Weekly | $2,023.27 |
| Hourly | $50.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | $138,930 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $133,380 | 210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $132,600 | 300 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,870 | 540 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $102,940 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,470 | 90 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,950 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $98,060 | 270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $94,760 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 |
| Nevada | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 |
| Idaho | $124,440 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 |
| Maryland | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $109,830 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 |
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 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| 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 51-8013. 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 power plant operator make in California?
The median salary for power plant operators in California is $105,210 a year, or $50.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in California?
The top 10% of power plant operators in California earn at least $171,800 a year. The top 25% earn $132,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,510 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $80,270 or less.
How many power plant operators work in California?
About 2,610 power plant operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.