How much does a power plant operator make in California?
$105,200a year
Median yearly pay for power plant operators in California. That is $50.58 an hour or $8,768 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.58
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among states
- 19 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 2,610
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,510Median: $105,200Highest 10%: $171,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,510 | $30.53 | |
| 25th | $80,270 | $38.59 | |
| Median | $105,200 | $50.58 | |
| 75th | $132,600 | $63.75 | |
| 90th | $171,800 | $82.60 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Fresno, CA | $138,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $133,400 |
| San Francisco, CA | $132,600 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $105,900 |
| Stockton, CA | $102,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $99,470 |
| San Jose, CA | $98,950 |
| Riverside, CA | $98,060 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $94,760 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for power plant operators.
| 16. Montana | $106,000 |
| 17. Michigan | $105,800 |
| 18. New Mexico | $105,500 |
| 19. California | $105,200 |
| 20. Illinois | $104,400 |
| 21. Ohio | $104,200 |
| 22. Delaware | $103,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $50.58 ($105,200 a year).
Do power plant operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $105,200 against $102,000 nationally, 3% more.
Where does California rank for power plant operator pay?
California ranks 19 of 49 states.
Which city in California pays power plant operators the most?
Fresno, CA, with a median of $138,900 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.