Power Plant Operators Salary in California
Power Plant Operators in California earn a median annual wage of $105,210 —3.1% above the national median of $102,040. That ranks CA #19 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.76× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $131,620 | $63.28 | 430 | 0.65 |
| 2 | Nevada | $131,400 | $63.17 | 250 | 0.86 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $131,370 | $63.16 | 300 | 0.37 |
| 4 | Idaho | $124,440 | $59.83 | 310 | 1.90 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $122,160 | $58.73 | 150 | 1.89 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $121,700 | $58.51 | 290 | 2.43 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $115,920 | $55.73 | 490 | 0.80 |
| 8 | Maryland | $111,260 | $53.49 | 330 | 0.64 |
| 9 | Oregon | $109,830 | $52.80 | 250 | 0.66 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $108,300 | $52.07 | 420 | 0.45 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,720 | $44,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,840 | $74,450 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $48,570 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,060 | $53,750 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $43,220 |
| Machinists | $57,190 | $58,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in California?
The median annual wage for power plant operators in California is $105,210, or $50.58 per hour. That is 3.1% above the national median of $102,040.
What is the entry-level power plant operators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $63,510 per year ($30.54/hour). The 25th percentile is $80,270.
How many people work as power plant operators in California?
About 2,610 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for power plant operators?
California ranks #19 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.76x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays power plant operators the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $131,620 per year, followed by Nevada ($131,400) and New Jersey ($131,370).