Best cities for a plant operator
The best cities for plant operators are Stockton, CA, Fresno, CA, and Anchorage, AK, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for plant operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for plant operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a plant operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for plant operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for plant operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a plant operator. While the absolute best city for plant operators is Stockton, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for plant operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a plant operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for plant operators in 2025
1. Stockton, CA
Plant operator jobs in StocktonTotal plant operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $58,358 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Location quotient: 3.23 2. Fresno, CA
Plant operator jobs in FresnoTotal plant operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $58,011 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Location quotient: 1.54 3. Anchorage, AK
Plant operator jobs in AnchorageTotal plant operator jobs: 22 Average annual salary: $49,769 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $55,000 Location quotient: 12.46 4. Riverside, CA
Plant operator jobs in RiversideTotal plant operator jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $56,633 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 2.40 5. Madison, WI
Plant operator jobs in MadisonTotal plant operator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $46,088 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location quotient: 0.95 6. Sacramento, CA
Plant operator jobs in SacramentoTotal plant operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $58,152 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $77,000 Location quotient: 0.55 7. Milwaukee, WI
Plant operator jobs in MilwaukeeTotal plant operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $46,260 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 0.44 8. Phoenix, AZ
Plant operator jobs in PhoenixTotal plant operator jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $46,484 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 0.87 9. Chandler, AZ
Plant operator jobs in ChandlerTotal plant operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $46,392 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 1.16 10. Gilbert, AZ
Plant operator jobs in GilbertTotal plant operator jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $46,370 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 1.19
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Best cities for plant operators
- Stockton, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Riverside, CA
- Madison, WI
- Sacramento, CA
- Milwaukee, WI
- Phoenix, AZ
- Chandler, AZ
- Gilbert, AZ
Detailed list of the best cities for a plant operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockton, CA | $58,358 | $43,000 | 307,072 | 4 |
| 2 | Fresno, CA | $58,011 | $43,000 | 522,053 | 3 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $49,769 | $44,000 | 298,192 | 22 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $56,633 | $42,000 | 324,722 | 5 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $46,088 | $35,000 | 252,551 | 6 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $58,152 | $43,000 | 495,234 | 4 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $46,260 | $35,000 | 595,047 | 3 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,484 | $34,000 | 1,615,017 | 19 |
| 9 | Chandler, AZ | $46,392 | $34,000 | 247,477 | 4 |
| 10 | Gilbert, AZ | $46,370 | $34,000 | 237,133 | 1 |
| 11 | Tucson, AZ | $46,030 | $34,000 | 530,706 | 5 |
| 12 | Scottsdale, AZ | $46,437 | $34,000 | 246,645 | 3 |
| 13 | Cincinnati, OH | $41,167 | $30,000 | 298,800 | 15 |
| 14 | Seattle, WA | $61,221 | $49,000 | 704,352 | 3 |
| 15 | Reno, NV | $44,001 | $33,000 | 245,255 | 3 |
| 16 | San Diego, CA | $56,285 | $42,000 | 1,406,630 | 7 |
| 17 | San Francisco, CA | $59,029 | $43,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 18 | San Jose, CA | $58,930 | $43,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | $57,115 | $42,000 | 3,976,322 | 5 |
| 20 | Oakland, CA | $58,929 | $43,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 21 | Irvine, CA | $56,729 | $42,000 | 266,122 | 2 |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $58,907 | $43,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 23 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,064 | $39,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 24 | Lubbock, TX | $37,028 | $27,000 | 252,506 | 4 |
| 25 | Minneapolis, MN | $51,063 | $39,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 26 | Cleveland, OH | $43,831 | $32,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 27 | Bakersfield, CA | $57,705 | $42,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 28 | Toledo, OH | $43,625 | $32,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 29 | Philadelphia, PA | $44,960 | $31,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 30 | Long Beach, CA | $56,933 | $42,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 31 | Anaheim, CA | $56,834 | $42,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 32 | Santa Ana, CA | $56,789 | $42,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 33 | Glendale, AZ | $46,504 | $34,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 34 | Kansas City, MO | $37,600 | $28,000 | 481,420 | 10 |
| 35 | Corpus Christi, TX | $35,957 | $26,000 | 325,733 | 2 |
| 36 | Greensboro, NC | $37,731 | $27,000 | 287,027 | 1 |
| 37 | Fort Worth, TX | $36,126 | $27,000 | 854,113 | 7 |
| 38 | Mesa, AZ | $46,373 | $34,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 39 | Pittsburgh, PA | $43,883 | $31,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 40 | Albuquerque, NM | $37,815 | $28,000 | 559,277 | 4 |
| 41 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,536 | $30,000 | 855,164 | 2 |
| 42 | Chula Vista, CA | $56,215 | $41,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 43 | Columbus, OH | $42,262 | $30,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 44 | Oklahoma City, OK | $34,021 | $26,000 | 638,367 | 24 |
| 45 | Boston, MA | $48,487 | $35,000 | 673,184 | 4 |
| 46 | Denver, CO | $47,387 | $36,000 | 693,060 | 7 |
| 47 | Newark, NJ | $43,675 | $31,000 | 281,764 | 2 |
| 48 | Buffalo, NY | $48,594 | $35,000 | 256,902 | 1 |
| 49 | Chicago, IL | $45,737 | $34,000 | 2,704,958 | 2 |
| 50 | Fort Wayne, IN | $42,834 | $31,000 | 264,488 | - |
Highest paying cities for plant operators
| Rank | City | Avg. plant operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $58,152 |
| 2 | Cottage Grove, MN | $51,016 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $49,769 |
| 4 | Wilmington, DE | $49,196 |
| 5 | Greeley, CO | $47,811 |
| 6 | Green Bay, WI | $46,932 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,484 |
| 8 | Easton, PA | $45,181 |
| 9 | Canton, OH | $43,393 |
| 10 | Waterloo, IA | $41,969 |
| 11 | Kansas City, MO | $37,600 |
| 12 | Sarasota, FL | $36,421 |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | $36,297 |
| 14 | Salina, KS | $34,695 |
| 15 | Oklahoma City, OK | $34,021 |
| 16 | Hopkinsville, KY | $33,116 |
| 17 | Chattanooga, TN | $32,414 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $31,959 |
| 19 | Starkville, MS | $30,003 |
| 20 | Columbia, SC | $29,345 |
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Updated January 8, 2025