LADWP’s highest earners rake in nearly $800K as utility bills soar

Key Points:

• The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) paid its top five highest-earning employees a combined $3.84 million in 2025, with nearly $2.1 million of that from overtime, amid rising utility bills for residents.
• LADWP's total payroll and benefits reached approximately $2.65 billion, with 114 employees earning over $500,000 each, highlighting significant wage disparities as customers face steep electricity rate increases.
• The utility justified the high overtime pay as necessary due to staffing shortages, emergency responses like the 2025 Palisades fire, and the complexity of training specialized workers, though critics call the system corrupt and unaccountable.
• Ratepayers and activists have demanded an independent audit of LADWP, citing frustration over soaring bills and perceived mismanagement, while the department insists its rates remain competitive compared to neighboring utilities.
• The escalating labor costs and utility expenses are contributing to broader concerns about affordability in Los Angeles, with some residents and property owners considering leaving due to the financial burden.