Power Plant Operators Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $118,520 +18.9% vs national
Median hourly $56.98
10th percentile $66,560
90th percentile $171,910
Employed locally 290
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Power Plant Operators
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,560
    25th
    $98,320
    50th (median)
    $118,520
    75th
    $141,600
    90th
    $171,910

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 89% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 11% below 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
    Decatur, AL $108,040
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $107,650
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $106,030
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $105,740

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $52,330
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $58,950
    Bakers $45,620
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $54,700
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $83,130
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,140

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in San Francisco, CA is $56.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.60 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in San Francisco, CA is 18.9% above 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $66,560 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,320.