How much does a power plant operator make?
The median power plant operator in the United States earns $99,670 per year, about $47.92 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all power plant operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-8013.
Power plant operator salary range
Pay for power plant operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $59,930 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $128,760. The average (mean) wage is $95,990, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,930 | $28.81 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $77,400 | $37.21 | |
| Median (50th) | $99,670 | $47.92 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $111,980 | $53.84 | |
| 90th percentile | $128,760 | $61.90 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for power plant operators (SOC 51-8013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Power plant operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Power plant operators earn the most in Washington at $124,050 a year, and the least in New Hampshire at $72,370. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $124,050 | 570 |
| New York | $121,760 | 2,350 |
| Hawaii | $115,190 | 430 |
| Oregon | $114,500 | 200 |
| New Jersey | $109,970 | 210 |
| North Dakota | $109,340 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $107,380 | 550 |
| Arizona | $107,210 | 890 |
| Nevada | $106,990 | 390 |
| Maryland | $106,300 | 310 |
| California | $105,520 | 2,390 |
| South Dakota | $105,400 | 40 |
| Wyoming | $105,330 | 210 |
| Michigan | $103,880 | 1,200 |
| Utah | $103,760 | 340 |
| Alabama | $103,640 | 730 |
| Georgia | $103,590 | 420 |
| Texas | $103,120 | 1,880 |
| Illinois | $103,020 | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $102,750 | 280 |
| Indiana | $102,730 | 900 |
| Montana | $102,610 | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $102,080 | 1,060 |
| Delaware | $101,790 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $100,840 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $99,290 | 500 |
| Iowa | $98,880 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $98,760 | 240 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 | 130 |
| Colorado | $98,570 | 380 |
| Vermont | $98,260 | 130 |
| Ohio | $97,810 | 630 |
| West Virginia | $96,230 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $94,930 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $94,500 | 570 |
| Connecticut | $92,310 | 220 |
| Kansas | $89,630 | 500 |
| Arkansas | $88,860 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $88,090 | 710 |
| Kentucky | $87,330 | 550 |
| Missouri | $86,240 | 760 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,260 | 1,380 |
| Alaska | $85,070 | 750 |
| Florida | $84,030 | 1,330 |
| Wisconsin | $81,250 | 660 |
| Oklahoma | $80,780 | 600 |
| South Carolina | $78,580 | 850 |
| Virginia | $78,460 | 730 |
| Maine | $78,080 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $72,370 | 150 |
State median wages for power plant operators (SOC 51-8013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for power plant operators
The BLS projects employment of power plant operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 29,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 28,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,300 openings a year for power plant operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a power plant operator
The typical entry-level education for power plant operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a power plant operator earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $124,050) and the lowest (New Hampshire, $72,370) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 30,720 people work as power plant operators in the United States. At $99,670 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Power plant operator salary FAQ
How much does a power plant operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a power plant operator is $47.92. The middle half of power plant operators earn between $37.21 and $53.84 per hour.
What is the highest power plant operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of power plant operators earn more than $128,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a power plant operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a power plant operator is $99,670. The average (mean) wage is $95,990, close to the median.
Is being a power plant operator a well paid job?
At $99,670 a year, a power plant operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 30,720 people work as power plant operators in the United States.
Which state pays power plant operators the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for power plant operators at $124,050 a year. New York ($121,760) and Hawaii ($115,190) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a power plant operator a good career?
Employment of power plant operators is projected to shrink 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a power plant operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for power plant operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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