Power Plant Operators Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a power plant operators in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $118,520/year ($56.98/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $172K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $102,517 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 49.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $119K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About power plant operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $119K.Top earners bring in $172K or more - a $105K 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $118,520 a year - that works out to about $56.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,560, and experienced power plant operators can clear $171,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $119K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,050/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 51.1% 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 plant operators salary go in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $102,517 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.