Power Plant Operators Salary in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
The median pay for a power plant operators in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA is $156,260/year ($75.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $204K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.67), so that salary is closer to $146,489 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,255/month, or 24.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $156K get you in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom?
About power plant operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $156K.Top earners bring in $204K or more - a $128K spread from bottom to top.
Power Plant Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $124K | +24% | 570 |
| New York | $122K | +22% | 2,350 |
| Hawaii | $115K | +16% | 430 |
| Oregon | $115K | +15% | 200 |
| New Jersey | $110K | +10% | 210 |
| North Dakota | $109K | +10% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $107K | +8% | 550 |
| Arizona | $107K | +8% | 890 |
| Nevada | $107K | +7% | 390 |
| Maryland | $106K | +7% | 310 |
| California | $106K | +6% | 2,390 |
| South Dakota | $105K | +6% | 40 |
| Wyoming | $105K | +6% | 210 |
| Michigan | $104K | +4% | 1,200 |
| Utah | $104K | +4% | 340 |
Track power plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
The median is $156,260 a year - that works out to about $75.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,740, and experienced power plant operators can clear $204,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $156K enough to live in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,907/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,255/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 25.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a power plant operators salary go in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom?
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom has a Regional Price Parity of 106.67 (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 plant operators salary is worth about $146,489 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do power 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.