Power Plant Operator salary in Stockton-Lodi, CA
Power Plant Operators in the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area earn a median of $102,940 a year ($49.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,830 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% lower than the California statewide median of $105,210. There are 0.12 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $113,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Stockton-Lodi, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| 25th percentile | $97,270 | $46.77 |
| Median | $102,940 | $49.49 |
| 75th percentile | $146,830 | $70.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,830 | $70.59 |
| Average (mean) | $113,020 | $54.34 |
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 | $8,578.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,289.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,959.23 |
| Weekly | $1,979.62 |
| Hourly | $49.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,940 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 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,470 | 90 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,950 | 50 |
| 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 Stockton-Lodi, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $103,690 | $49.85 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,780 | $36.91 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Baker | $43,760 | $21.04 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $58,850 | $28.29 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Stockton-Lodi, 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 Stockton-Lodi, CA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area is $102,940 a year, or $49.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Stockton-Lodi, CA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area earn at least $146,830 a year. The top 25% earn $146,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Stockton-Lodi, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,570 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $97,270 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Stockton-Lodi, CA?
About 30 power plant operators are employed in the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.