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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plant GM in California is $242,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $117.
However, a Plant GM's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Plant GM Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $275,000 | $22,917 | $5,288 | $132 |
| Average | $242,400 | $20,200 | $4,662 | $117 |
| 25th Percentile | $218,500 | $18,208 | $4,202 | $105 |
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A Plant GM's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Plant GM's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Operations Superintendent | 0-5 years | $134,967 |
| Plant Engineering Operations Manager | 5+ years | $173,008 |
| Single Facility/Plant Manager | 5+ years | $211,958 |
| Plant GM | 5+ years | $242,321 |
| Multiple Facility/Plant General Manager | 5+ years | $284,105 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Plant GMs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Plant GM salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $271,353. While startup companies pay approximate $229,558.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $229,558 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $242,785 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $262,039 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $271,353 |
For Plant GM roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Plant GM positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Plant GM as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $363,600 | $175.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $315,120 | $152.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $290,880 | $140.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Plant GM's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $275,000 | $22,917 | $5,288 | $132 |
| Average | $242,400 | $20,200 | $4,662 | $117 |
| 25th Percentile | $218,500 | $18,208 | $4,202 | $105 |
For a Plant GM, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Multiple Facility/Plant General Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $284,200 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Plant GM job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
CalPortland
GRANGER, UT
CalPortland | GRANGER, UT
CalPortland, a leader in sustainable construction solutions since 1891, is seeking a dedicated Aggregate Plant Manager to oversee all operations of our agg... more
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TEMPE, AZ
WM SPA, LLC, THE | TEMPE, AZ
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Green Bay Packaging
HANSEN ROAD, WI
Green Bay Packaging | HANSEN ROAD, WI
Green Bay Packaging is seeking a Plant Engineer to join our Engineering & Maintenance team in a modern manufacturing environment. This role leads plant eng... more
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CalPortland
ORCUTT, CA
CalPortland | ORCUTT, CA
CalPortland, a leader in sustainable construction solutions since 1891, is seeking a dedicated Aggregate Plant Manager to oversee all operations of our agg... more
5 Days Ago
CalPortland
OILDALE, CA
CalPortland | OILDALE, CA
CalPortland, a leader in sustainable construction solutions since 1891, is seeking a dedicated Aggregate Plant Manager to oversee all operations of our agg... more
5 Days Ago
CalPortland
TEXTILE FINANCE, CA
CalPortland | TEXTILE FINANCE, CA
CalPortland, a leader in sustainable construction solutions since 1891, is seeking a dedicated Aggregate Plant Manager to oversee all operations of our agg... more
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