Power Plant Operators Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $105,520 +5.9% vs national
Median hourly $50.73
10th percentile $60,970
90th percentile $149,350
Employed locally 40
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,970
    25th
    $97,860
    50th (median)
    $105,520
    75th
    $121,050
    90th
    $149,350

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 67% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 33% 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
    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 San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $48,430
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $51,210
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $58,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $88,990
    Production Workers, All Other $47,670
    Machinists $62,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in San Jose, CA is $50.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.02 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in San Jose, CA is 5.9% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $60,970 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $97,860.