How much does a plant and system operator make in California?
$78,020a year
Median yearly pay for plant and system operators in California. That is $37.51 an hour or $6,502 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.51
- Vs. national median
- +25%
- Rank among states
- 7 of 44
- Jobs in the state
- 1,560
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,200Median: $78,020Highest 10%: $112,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,200 | $23.65 | |
| 25th | $63,650 | $30.60 | |
| Median | $78,020 | $37.51 | |
| 75th | $95,500 | $45.91 | |
| 90th | $112,900 | $54.26 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Sacramento, CA | $94,420 |
| San Francisco, CA | $91,310 |
| San Jose, CA | $85,590 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $81,660 |
| Riverside, CA | $80,430 |
| San Diego, CA | $77,330 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,130 |
| Fresno, CA | $67,180 |
| Oxnard, CA | $45,930 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for plant and system operators.
| 4. Maryland | $81,890 |
| 5. Montana | $81,340 |
| 6. Nevada | $80,000 |
| 7. California | $78,020 |
| 8. Illinois | $77,780 |
| 9. Iowa | $75,800 |
| 10. New York | $74,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plant and system operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $37.51 ($78,020 a year).
Do plant and system operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $78,020 against $62,470 nationally, 25% more.
Where does California rank for plant and system operator pay?
California ranks 7 of 44 states.
Which city in California pays plant and system operators the most?
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, with a median of $94,420 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.