California Median
$130,220
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+48% vs US median
US median $87,820
State Rank
#1 of 43
800 employed here
How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in California?
Gas Plant Operators in California take home a median of $130,220 annually — roughly $62.61 an hour — which runs 48% above the national median of $87,820.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $92,610 while the top 10% make $140,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $104,100 and $134,800 a year.
Gas Plant Operator salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,610 | $44.52 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $104,100 | $50.05 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $130,220 | $62.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $134,800 | $64.81 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,400 | $67.50 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 43 states and territories for Gas Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Gas Plant Operator salary in other states
New Jersey $110,900Oregon $109,760Connecticut $109,060Louisiana $108,350Arizona $104,600Massachusetts $103,830Maryland $102,950South Dakota $101,450Arkansas $100,870Michigan $100,500Minnesota $100,500New York $98,390Utah $98,300Colorado $98,080Illinois $97,810New Mexico $97,660North Dakota $96,760Maine $93,990Iowa $92,970Missouri $87,820Nebraska $87,790Virginia $86,500Indiana $85,790Wisconsin $85,080Washington $83,650Montana $83,630West Virginia $82,600Ohio $82,130Mississippi $81,600Wyoming $81,550North Carolina $81,460Georgia $81,220Pennsylvania $80,810Kansas $80,760Texas $79,910Idaho $79,280Oklahoma $78,310Alabama $77,120South Carolina $67,580Florida $67,170Tennessee $66,560Kentucky $63,070
Working as a Gas Plant Operator in California
Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Gas Plant Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($130,220) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Gas Plant Operator make in California?
The median Gas Plant Operator salary in California is $130,220 per year, or about $62.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $92,610 at the entry level to $140,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Gas Plant Operators about 48% more than the national median of $87,820. California ranks 1st out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Gas Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,220 a year. About 800 Gas Plant Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Gas Plant Operator salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.