Power Plant Operator salary in Fresno, CA
Power Plant Operators in the Fresno, CA metro area earn a median of $138,930 a year ($66.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,150 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 32% higher than the California statewide median of $105,210. There are 0.28 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $131,280, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Fresno, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| 25th percentile | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Median | $138,930 | $66.80 |
| 75th percentile | $178,150 | $85.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,150 | $85.65 |
| Average (mean) | $131,280 | $63.12 |
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 | $11,577.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,788.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,343.46 |
| Weekly | $2,671.73 |
| Hourly | $66.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fresno, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $87,140 | $41.89 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $67,180 | $32.30 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,340 | $20.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Baker | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,280 | $17.44 |
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 Fresno, CA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Fresno, CA metro area is $138,930 a year, or $66.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Fresno, CA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Fresno, CA metro area earn at least $178,150 a year. The top 25% earn $178,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Fresno, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,590 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $101,400 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Fresno, CA?
About 130 power plant operators are employed in the Fresno, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.