Power Distributors and Dispatchers Salary
The median pay for a power distributors and dispatchers in California is $137,570/year ($66.14/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $209K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $129,612 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 30.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $138K get you in California?
About power distributors and dispatchers
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for power distributors and dispatchers, local pay runs about 29% higher than the U.S. median of $107K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level power distributors and dispatchers (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $138K. Top earners bring in $209K or more, a $108K spread from bottom to top.
Power Distributors and Dispatchers salary by metro in California
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $173K | +26% | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $170K | +24% | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $141K | +2% | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $107K | -22% | 330 |
Compare to other states
Track power distributors and dispatchers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a power distributors and dispatcher afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $138K, rent takes 30.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for power distributors and dispatchers in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new power distributors and dispatchers typically earn — is $101K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,072/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is power distributors and dispatcher a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 29% above the national median — $138K here vs. $107K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for power distributors and dispatchers?
California pays $138K median vs. the U.S. average of $107K — that’s +29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $130K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do power distributors and dispatchers make in California?
The median is $137,570 a year, that works out to about $66 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $101,200, and experienced power distributors and dispatchers can clear $209,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $138K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,988/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 30.9% 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 power distributors and dispatchers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (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 power distributors and dispatchers salary is worth about $129,612 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do power distributors and dispatchers 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.
