California Median
$105,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#19 of 49
2,610 employed here
How much does a Power Plant Operator make in California?
A Power Plant Operator working in California earns a median salary of $105,210 per year, or about $50.58 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $102,040 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $63,510 while the top 10% make $171,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,270 and $132,600 a year.
Power Plant Operator salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,510 | $30.53 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,270 | $38.59 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $105,210 | $50.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $132,600 | $63.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,800 | $82.60 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 19th out of 49 states and territories for Power Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Power Plant Operator salary in other states
Washington $131,620Nevada $131,400New Jersey $131,370Idaho $124,440North Dakota $122,160Hawaii $121,700Tennessee $115,920Maryland $111,260Oregon $109,830North Carolina $108,300Georgia $107,580Utah $107,120Alabama $107,080Indiana $107,000New York $106,990Montana $106,040Michigan $105,820New Mexico $105,510Illinois $104,440Ohio $104,160Delaware $103,010Colorado $102,780Texas $102,510Mississippi $102,400Missouri $101,900Louisiana $101,170Iowa $100,500Massachusetts $100,140Wyoming $99,200Nebraska $98,210Rhode Island $98,050Arkansas $97,760Connecticut $97,460West Virginia $97,210Pennsylvania $95,800Minnesota $94,390Florida $94,290Kentucky $93,400Alaska $88,870Oklahoma $88,590Arizona $84,970New Hampshire $81,070Maine $81,060Kansas $79,980South Carolina $79,900Vermont $78,240Virginia $73,640Wisconsin $66,080
Working as a Power Plant Operator in California
Nationally, about 29,000 people work as Power 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 ($105,210) 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 Power Plant Operator make in California?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in California is $105,210 per year, or about $50.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,510 at the entry level to $171,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Power Plant Operators about 3% more than the national median of $102,040. California ranks 19th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $105,210 a year. About 2,610 Power 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 Power 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.