Power Plant Operators Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 2,600 Power Plant Operators professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
2,600
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
2.6
workers
Location Quotient
4.13
vs national avg
Average Salary
$102K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 4.13 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Power Plant Operators professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
2,600
National: 31,460
8.3% of national
Jobs per 1,000
2.6
National: 0.63
+312.7%
Average Salary
$102K
National: $91K
+12.8%

Top States by Power Plant Operators Employment

#1
3,170
3,170
employed
#2
2,600
2,600
employed
#3
1,630
1,630
employed
#4
1,550
1,550
employed
#5
1,310
1,310
employed
#6
1,280
1,280
employed
#7
1,270
1,270
employed
#8
1,220
1,220
employed
#9
1,160
1,160
employed
#10
1,000
1,000
employed

What Does a Power Plant Operators Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Power Plant Operators in California is $102,660. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Power Plant Operators jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 2,600 Power Plant Operators professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Power Plant Operators in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Power Plant Operators jobs (LQ: 4.13). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Power Plant Operators in California?

The average (mean) salary for Power Plant Operators in California is $102660/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Power Plant Operators professionals?

The top state for Power Plant Operators employment is Texas with 3,170 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Power Plant Operators (SOC 518013) in California.

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