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Production & Manufacturing

Gas Plant Operators Salary in California

The median pay for a gas plant operators in California is $124,980/year ($60.09/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers.

AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)

$125K
Median annual
$60.09/hr
Hourly rate
$80K
Entry level (10th %)
$136K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $125K get you in California?

Take-home$7,368/mo
2BR rent (est.)-$2,201/mo
Rent burden29.9%
COL-adjusted salary$124,980/yr
After rent$5,167/mo
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About gas plant operators

U.S. employed: 630
Category: Production & Manufacturing
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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, California

Bar chart showing Gas Plant Operators salary percentiles in California: 10th percentile $80,120, 25th percentile $108,260, median $124,980, 75th percentile $133,230, 90th percentile $136,130. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$80K25th$108KMedian$125K75th$133K90th$136K
Bar chart showing Gas Plant Operators salary percentiles in California: 10th percentile $80,120, 25th percentile $108,260, median $124,980, 75th percentile $133,230, 90th percentile $136,130. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level gas plant operators (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $125K.Top earners bring in $136K or more - a $56K spread from bottom to top.

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Gas Plant Operators pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
California$125K+50%630
Connecticut$107K+29%90
Oregon$106K+27%80
Louisiana$105K+26%1,120
New Jersey$105K+26%230
Maryland$104K+25%140
Massachusetts$101K+21%480
Michigan$98K+18%480
South Dakota$98K+18%80
Illinois$96K+15%810
Utah$96K+15%160
Arizona$95K+14%N/A
New Mexico$94K+13%250
North Dakota$94K+13%160
New York$91K+9%220

Track gas plant operators salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do gas plant operators make in California?

The median is $124,980 a year - that works out to about $60.09 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,120, and experienced gas plant operators can clear $136,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $125K enough to live in California?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,368/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 29.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.

How far does a gas plant operators salary go in California?

California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median gas plant operators salary is worth about $124,980 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do gas plant operators get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

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