Power Plant Operators pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for power plant operators is $49.06 an hour ($102,040 a year). About 29,320 people work in this job there.
Pay range for power plant operators in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $29.71 | $61,790 |
| 25% of workers | $38.31 | $79,690 |
| Half of workers (median) | $49.06 | $102,040 |
| 75% of workers | $57.25 | $119,080 |
| 90% of workers | $63.44 | $131,940 |
Best-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 | 430 |
| Nevada | $131,400 | 250 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 | 300 |
| Idaho | $124,440 | 310 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 | 490 |
| Maryland | $111,260 | 330 |
| Oregon | $109,830 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 | 420 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $107,080
- Alaska · $88,870
- California · $105,210
- Florida · $94,290
- Georgia · $107,580
- Illinois · $104,440
- Indiana · $107,000
- Kansas · $79,980
- Kentucky · $93,400
- Massachusetts · $100,140
- Michigan · $105,820
- Minnesota · $94,390
- New York · $106,990
- Ohio · $104,160
- Oklahoma · $88,590
- Pennsylvania · $95,800
- South Carolina · $79,900
- Texas · $102,510
- Virginia · $73,640
Education, experience and outlook for power plant operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -5.1% over ten years, declining · about 2,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.