Power Plant Operator salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Power Plant Operators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $98,060 a year ($47.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,580 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 7% lower than the California statewide median of $105,210. There are 0.16 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,120, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| 25th percentile | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| Median | $98,060 | $47.14 |
| 75th percentile | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,580 | $59.89 |
| Average (mean) | $94,120 | $45.25 |
Half of power plant operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,171.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,085.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,771.54 |
| Weekly | $1,885.77 |
| Hourly | $47.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | $138,930 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $133,380 | 210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $132,600 | 300 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,870 | 540 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $102,940 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,470 | 90 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,950 | 50 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $94,760 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 |
| Nevada | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 |
| Idaho | $124,440 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 |
| Maryland | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $109,830 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $82,780 | $39.80 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $87,170 | $41.91 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $79,840 | $38.38 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $124,480 | $59.85 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $140,660 | $67.63 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,180 | $34.22 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,050 | $25.02 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Baker | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,460 | $23.78 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $98,060 a year, or $47.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $124,580 a year. The top 25% earn $103,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,150 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $76,760 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 270 power plant operators are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.