Power Plant Operators Salary in Bakersfield, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Median annual salary $93,950 -5.7% vs national
Median hourly $45.17
10th percentile $58,530
90th percentile $132,920
Employed locally 180
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
Bakersfield, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,530
    25th
    $75,600
    50th (median)
    $93,950
    75th
    $116,090
    90th
    $132,920

    Bakersfield economic context

    Unemployment rate 8.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,660 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 139% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 39% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Power Plant Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $156,260
    Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA $140,800
    Fresno, CA $136,640
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $136,300
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $133,460
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340

    Nearby metros — Power Plant Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $156,260
    Fresno, CA $136,640
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $118,520
    Decatur, AL $108,040
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $107,650
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $106,030

    Related occupations in Bakersfield, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $44,600
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $78,630
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $42,800
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $58,720
    Bakers $42,510

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in Bakersfield?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Bakersfield, CA is $45.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.83 or more per hour.

    Is Bakersfield above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Bakersfield, CA is 5.7% below the national median of $99,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Power Plant Operators in Bakersfield?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $58,530 per year in Bakersfield, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,600.