Power Plant Operator salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Power Plant Operators in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $98,950 a year ($47.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,090 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 6% lower than the California statewide median of $105,210. There are 0.04 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $104,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| 25th percentile | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Median | $98,950 | $47.57 |
| 75th percentile | $127,670 | $61.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,090 | $63.02 |
| Average (mean) | $104,340 | $50.16 |
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 | $8,245.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,122.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,805.77 |
| Weekly | $1,902.88 |
| Hourly | $47.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,950 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 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $98,060 | 270 |
| 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $108,190 | $52.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $123,170 | $59.22 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $85,590 | $41.15 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $55,230 | $26.55 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $52,360 | $25.18 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $89,970 | $43.25 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $50,820 | $24.44 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,620 | $28.66 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Machinist | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| Baker | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $64,140 | $30.84 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $98,950 a year, or $47.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $131,090 a year. The top 25% earn $127,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,830 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $79,700 or less.
How many power plant operators work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 50 power plant operators are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.