The average salary for a power plant operator in the United States is $91,880, but the range typically falls between $72,860 and $106,780. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $44.17, with a range between $35.03 and $51.34.
There are approximately 31,490 people employed as a power plant operator in the United States. With Texas, California, New York employing the highest number of power plant operators.The state with the best pay for a power plant operator is Washington, with an average annual salary of $120,300, while Virginia has the lowest average annual salary of $77,780.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $54,080 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,860 | $35.03 |
| Median | $97,010 | $46.64 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,780 | $51.34 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,120 | $59.19 |
The salary of a power plant operator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a power plant operator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for power plant operators are Washington, New York, Hawaii, New Jersey, Arizona while the worst states are Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Maine, New Hampshire.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,470 | $97,750 | $124,940 |
| Alaska | $35,450 | $81,830 | $136,740 |
| Arizona | $67,230 | $97,000 | $106,530 |
| Arkansas | $55,230 | $80,960 | $101,310 |
| California | $59,250 | $102,660 | $156,860 |
| Colorado | $71,470 | $96,350 | $123,500 |
| Connecticut | $64,890 | $91,850 | $121,530 |
| Delaware | $89,280 | $109,110 | $134,310 |
| Florida | $49,870 | $82,020 | $110,190 |
| Georgia | $56,810 | $96,380 | $117,950 |
| Hawaii | $79,550 | $105,280 | $123,830 |
| Idaho | $61,180 | $100,860 | $148,040 |
| Illinois | $59,460 | $97,320 | $118,720 |
| Indiana | $67,590 | $92,890 | $110,440 |
| Iowa | $50,320 | $78,650 | $103,620 |
| Kansas | $39,280 | $84,570 | $129,630 |
| Kentucky | $47,420 | $81,480 | $106,580 |
| Louisiana | $38,100 | $78,220 | $103,220 |
| Maine | $50,780 | $79,110 | $107,700 |
| Maryland | $61,040 | $98,140 | $129,750 |
| Massachusetts | $50,830 | $89,070 | $119,220 |
| Michigan | $45,460 | $91,270 | $109,390 |
| Minnesota | $73,000 | $91,920 | $114,120 |
| Mississippi | $62,210 | $90,990 | $112,490 |
| Missouri | $51,410 | $84,600 | $119,060 |
| Montana | $51,700 | $89,870 | $109,800 |
| Nebraska | $81,140 | $100,860 | $131,220 |
| Nevada | $63,710 | $82,240 | $114,040 |
| New Hampshire | $45,770 | $73,810 | $104,620 |
| New Jersey | $73,570 | $104,080 | $128,400 |
| New Mexico | $39,760 | $84,110 | $109,180 |
| New York | $59,000 | $108,590 | $137,100 |
| North Carolina | $51,850 | $84,590 | $124,220 |
| North Dakota | $63,530 | $100,670 | $123,760 |
| Ohio | $63,820 | $88,820 | $105,800 |
| Oklahoma | $40,580 | $74,940 | $101,020 |
| Oregon | $56,020 | $97,840 | $137,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,790 | $87,460 | $109,360 |
| Rhode Island | $58,140 | $95,950 | $125,250 |
| South Carolina | $56,970 | $76,780 | $98,690 |
| South Dakota | $66,710 | $95,980 | $123,340 |
| Tennessee | $69,430 | $97,170 | $112,490 |
| Texas | $52,360 | $90,270 | $113,950 |
| Utah | $63,020 | $88,090 | $104,770 |
| Vermont | $45,020 | $81,940 | $118,170 |
| Virginia | $47,410 | $77,780 | $104,150 |
| Washington | $90,170 | $120,300 | $147,020 |
| West Virginia | $67,110 | $88,660 | $108,220 |
| Wisconsin | $53,250 | $85,250 | $119,160 |
| Wyoming | $76,100 | $95,360 | $116,820 |
Even between cities, the salary of a power plant operator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for power plant operators is Fresno, CA with an average salary of $131,110.The city with the lowest average salary for power plant operators is Lafayette, LA with an average salary of $46,870.
Areas with highest average salaries for power plant operators
Areas with lowest average salaries for power plant operators
The number of power plant operators in the United States has been decreasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of power plant operators has decreased by -1,470. On average, the number of power plant operators has been increasing by -1.1% each year. The salary of power plant operators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of power plant operators has increased by $9,990. On average, the salary of power plant operators has been increasing by 3.0% each year.
Power Plant Operators are part of the production occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for power plant operators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all production occupations jobs here.
$46,540 per year
$47,120 per year
$40,860 per year
$54,600 per year
$42,550 per year
$44,450 per year
