Power Plant Operators pay in California
In California, the median pay for power plant operators is $50.58 an hour ($105,210 a year). About 2,610 people work in this job there.
That is 3% higher than the U.S. median ($102,040). California ranks 19th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for power plant operators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $30.54 | $63,510 |
| 25% of workers | $38.59 | $80,270 |
| Half of workers (median) | $50.58 | $105,210 |
| 75% of workers | $63.75 | $132,600 |
| 90% of workers | $82.60 | $171,800 |
Power Plant Operators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno | $138,930 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $133,380 | 210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $132,600 | 300 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $105,870 | 540 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $102,940 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $99,470 | 90 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $98,950 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $98,060 | 270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $94,760 | 200 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for power plant operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -5.1% over ten years, declining · about 2,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.