Embodiments of the present invention provide a power control method and apparatus. The method includes: obtaining a power control parameter for a sounding reference signal SRS, where the power control parameter for the SRS includes at least one of a target power parameter value for the SRS, a path loss compensation factor, and a closed-loop power control parameter value for the SRS; and determining transmit power for the SRS on a first carrier based on the power control parameter for the SRS. In this way, the SRS is transmitted at optimal transmit power on a switched-to carrier, ensuring that the SRS is received correctly.