Gas Plant Operators Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
The median pay for a gas plant operators in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $94,990/year ($45.67/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $69K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $84,896 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 50.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $95K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad’s Regional Price Parity (111.89). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About gas plant operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level gas plant operators (10th percentile) start around $69K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $129K or more, a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Gas Plant Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Georgia | $91K | +9% | 120 |
| Iowa | $89K | +7% | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $87K | +5% | 200 |
| Washington | $86K | +3% | 150 |
| Missouri | $85K | +2% | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $85K | +2% | 30 |
| Minnesota | $85K | +2% | 110 |
| Indiana | $83K | +0% | 180 |
| Texas | $83K | -1% | 1,590 |
| Nebraska | $82K | -1% | 190 |
| Arkansas | $81K | -3% | 260 |
| South Carolina | $81K | -3% | 270 |
| Wyoming | $81K | -3% | 690 |
| West Virginia | $80K | -4% | 410 |
| Mississippi | $80K | -5% | 450 |
| Virginia | $79K | -6% | N/A |
| Kansas | $78K | -6% | 380 |
| Montana | $78K | -7% | N/A |
| Idaho | $77K | -8% | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $77K | -8% | 980 |
| Pennsylvania | $76K | -9% | 780 |
| North Carolina | $75K | -10% | 270 |
| Ohio | $75K | -11% | 660 |
| Alabama | $73K | -12% | 250 |
| Florida | $71K | -14% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $65K | -22% | 340 |
| Kentucky | $63K | -25% | 290 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track gas plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do gas plant operators make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $94,990 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $69,050, and experienced gas plant operators can clear $129,340. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,853/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month, which eats 51.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a gas plant operators salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median gas plant operators salary is worth about $84,896 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.