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Top 15 cities for power plant operators by average salary
| Wenatchee, WA | $150,930 |
|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $135,310 |
| Seattle, WA | $132,410 |
| Fresno, CA | $131,280 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,890 |
| Portland, OR | $128,530 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $126,340 |
| New York, NY | $123,810 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $123,140 |
| Honolulu, HI | $119,210 |
| New Haven, CT | $116,270 |
| Chicago, IL | $116,150 |
| Reno, NV | $114,840 |
| Charlotte, NC | $114,600 |
| Provo, UT | $113,380 |
Map: Power Plant Operators salary by metro area
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Power Plant Operators salary by state
Washington pays power plant operators the most statewide, $128,230 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $128,230 | $131,620 | 430 | 4 | $150,930 | $97,480 |
| New Jersey | $120,430 | $131,370 | 300 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Hawaii | $119,700 | $121,700 | 290 | 1 | $119,210 | $119,210 |
| North Dakota | $116,410 | $122,160 | 150 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nevada | $115,780 | $131,400 | 250 | 2 | $126,340 | $114,840 |
| Oregon | $113,120 | $109,830 | 250 | 1 | $128,530 | $128,530 |
| Idaho | $112,490 | $124,440 | 310 | 1 | $108,630 | $108,630 |
| California | $110,960 | $105,210 | 2,610 | 9 | $135,310 | $94,120 |
| Delaware | $110,380 | $103,010 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $108,900 | $115,920 | 490 | 4 | $111,850 | $100,110 |
| New York | $108,880 | $106,990 | 1,960 | 8 | $123,810 | $67,360 |
| Colorado | $108,860 | $102,780 | 250 | 1 | $110,240 | $110,240 |
| Maryland | $107,840 | $111,260 | 330 | 1 | $109,540 | $109,540 |
| Utah | $106,170 | $107,120 | 420 | 2 | $123,140 | $113,380 |
| Michigan | $105,460 | $105,820 | 1,220 | 3 | $111,910 | $103,900 |
| Illinois | $103,620 | $104,440 | 1,160 | 2 | $116,150 | $101,380 |
| Indiana | $103,120 | $107,000 | 1,190 | 2 | $104,760 | $98,180 |
| Connecticut | $102,700 | $97,460 | 250 | 4 | $116,270 | $89,190 |
| Wyoming | $102,530 | $99,200 | 230 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $102,330 | $107,080 | 790 | 3 | $105,510 | $98,610 |
| Rhode Island | $102,280 | $98,050 | 50 | 1 | $96,680 | $96,680 |
| North Carolina | $100,460 | $108,300 | 420 | 2 | $114,600 | $96,610 |
| New Mexico | $99,890 | $105,510 | 130 | 1 | $69,360 | $69,360 |
| Massachusetts | $99,500 | $100,140 | 880 | 3 | $102,800 | $93,320 |
| Montana | $99,440 | $106,040 | 130 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $99,430 | $107,580 | 590 | 3 | $110,750 | $76,400 |
| Ohio | $98,700 | $104,160 | 730 | 3 | $106,800 | $99,790 |
| Nebraska | $97,900 | $98,210 | 360 | 1 | $106,740 | $106,740 |
| Louisiana | $97,610 | $101,170 | 370 | 2 | $109,060 | $96,120 |
| Texas | $97,000 | $102,510 | 2,100 | 8 | $110,650 | $90,490 |
| Mississippi | $96,620 | $102,400 | 450 | 1 | $96,380 | $96,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,280 | $95,800 | 1,010 | 2 | $103,780 | $94,570 |
| Minnesota | $95,700 | $94,390 | 970 | 2 | $100,020 | $91,210 |
| Kentucky | $93,970 | $93,400 | 690 | 2 | $98,580 | $83,100 |
| Iowa | $93,580 | $100,500 | 470 | 3 | $102,850 | $83,090 |
| Missouri | $93,560 | $101,900 | n/a | 2 | $104,210 | $98,480 |
| West Virginia | $93,210 | $97,210 | 170 | 1 | $94,310 | $94,310 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $91,270 | $91,270 |
| Arkansas | $90,450 | $97,760 | 220 | 1 | $83,990 | $83,990 |
| Florida | $89,890 | $94,290 | 1,640 | 8 | $108,370 | $73,000 |
| Alaska | $89,690 | $88,870 | 650 | 2 | $92,660 | $89,520 |
| Arizona | $89,350 | $84,970 | 390 | 1 | $78,110 | $78,110 |
| New Hampshire | $86,560 | $81,070 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $85,850 | $79,980 | 520 | 2 | $88,800 | $75,570 |
| Oklahoma | $85,480 | $88,590 | 520 | 2 | $95,300 | $92,650 |
| Vermont | $85,450 | $78,240 | 140 | 1 | $98,350 | $98,350 |
| Maine | $83,380 | $81,060 | 190 | 1 | $87,410 | $87,410 |
| South Carolina | $80,990 | $79,900 | 680 | 3 | $85,870 | $79,910 |
| Wisconsin | $77,010 | $66,080 | 420 | 3 | $82,020 | $73,140 |
| Virginia | $74,290 | $73,640 | 590 | 2 | $67,130 | $64,660 |
| Puerto Rico | $65,860 | $70,640 | 210 | 1 | $62,930 | $62,930 |
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Power Plant Operators salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee, WA | $150,930 | $145,510 | $72.56 | 70 |
| Sacramento, CA | $135,310 | $133,380 | $65.05 | 210 |
| Seattle, WA | $132,410 | $124,950 | $63.66 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $131,280 | $138,930 | $63.12 | 130 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,890 | $132,600 | $62.93 | 300 |
| Portland, OR | $128,530 | $137,030 | $61.79 | n/a |
| Las Vegas, NV | $126,340 | $133,140 | $60.74 | 130 |
| New York, NY | $123,810 | $131,770 | $59.53 | 1,090 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $123,140 | $126,190 | $59.20 | 100 |
| Honolulu, HI | $119,210 | $122,020 | $57.31 | 170 |
| New Haven, CT | $116,270 | $123,840 | $55.90 | 50 |
| Chicago, IL | $116,150 | $123,540 | $55.84 | 640 |
| Reno, NV | $114,840 | $129,020 | $55.21 | 60 |
| Charlotte, NC | $114,600 | $132,030 | $55.10 | 120 |
| Provo, UT | $113,380 | $117,850 | $54.51 | 50 |
| Stockton, CA | $113,020 | $102,940 | $54.34 | 30 |
| Detroit, MI | $111,910 | $108,050 | $53.80 | 300 |
| Knoxville, TN | $111,850 | $115,920 | $53.78 | 90 |
| Atlanta, GA | $110,750 | $119,380 | $53.25 | 260 |
| Lubbock, TX | $110,650 | $101,900 | $53.20 | 40 |
| Denver, CO | $110,240 | $102,780 | $53.00 | 90 |
| Baltimore, MD | $109,540 | $111,260 | $52.66 | 230 |
| New Orleans, LA | $109,060 | $104,440 | $52.43 | 120 |
| Boise, ID | $108,630 | $134,050 | $52.23 | 70 |
| Lakeland, FL | $108,370 | $106,540 | $52.10 | 100 |
| Tampa, FL | $106,810 | $105,740 | $51.35 | 170 |
| Toledo, OH | $106,800 | $107,440 | $51.34 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE | $106,740 | $106,520 | $51.32 | 80 |
| Albany, NY | $106,050 | $103,300 | $50.98 | 150 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $105,840 | $105,870 | $50.88 | 540 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $105,520 | $109,090 | $50.73 | 50 |
| Decatur, AL | $105,510 | $115,920 | $50.73 | 30 |
| Dallas, TX | $105,190 | $106,720 | $50.57 | 240 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $104,940 | $99,020 | $50.45 | 60 |
| Bay City, MI | $104,870 | $98,930 | $50.42 | 50 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $104,760 | $109,090 | $50.36 | 100 |
| Spokane, WA | $104,720 | $97,640 | $50.34 | 40 |
| San Jose, CA | $104,340 | $98,950 | $50.16 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN | $104,310 | $119,080 | $50.15 | 120 |
| Kansas City, MO | $104,210 | $110,410 | $50.10 | 230 |
| Lansing, MI | $103,900 | $103,230 | $49.95 | 80 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $103,780 | $101,350 | $49.89 | 310 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $103,400 | $119,550 | $49.71 | 90 |
| Longview, TX | $103,000 | $100,180 | $49.52 | 120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $102,850 | $104,920 | $49.45 | 40 |
| Boston, MA | $102,800 | $103,900 | $49.42 | 640 |
| Springfield, IL | $101,380 | $102,130 | $48.74 | 40 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $101,270 | $95,780 | $48.69 | 50 |
| Nashville, TN | $100,710 | $105,370 | $48.42 | 80 |
| Columbus, OH | $100,520 | $110,030 | $48.33 | 130 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $100,110 | $115,920 | $48.13 | 60 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $100,020 | $99,000 | $48.09 | 470 |
| Montgomery, AL | $100,010 | $107,080 | $48.08 | 60 |
| Augusta, GA | $99,900 | $113,540 | $48.03 | 90 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $99,790 | $109,820 | $47.98 | 220 |
| Hartford, CT | $99,250 | $96,650 | $47.72 | 70 |
| Birmingham, AL | $98,610 | $106,990 | $47.41 | 280 |
| Louisville, KY | $98,580 | $104,120 | $47.39 | 120 |
| St. Louis, MO | $98,480 | $101,820 | $47.35 | n/a |
| Burlington, VT | $98,350 | $97,800 | $47.29 | 60 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $98,180 | $103,030 | $47.20 | 80 |
| El Paso, TX | $97,980 | $97,670 | $47.11 | 80 |
| Longview, WA | $97,480 | $94,660 | $46.87 | n/a |
| Providence, RI | $96,680 | $97,320 | $46.48 | 80 |
| Hickory, NC | $96,610 | $102,240 | $46.45 | 40 |
| Buffalo, NY | $96,400 | $86,280 | $46.35 | 80 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $96,390 | $94,760 | $46.34 | 200 |
| Gulfport, MS | $96,380 | $104,190 | $46.34 | 110 |
| Alexandria, LA | $96,120 | $102,830 | $46.21 | 40 |
| San Antonio, TX | $95,970 | $110,950 | $46.14 | 220 |
| Worcester, MA | $95,390 | $101,420 | $45.86 | 70 |
| San Diego, CA | $95,380 | $99,470 | $45.86 | 90 |
| Tulsa, OK | $95,300 | $101,470 | $45.82 | 100 |
| Austin, TX | $94,730 | $85,350 | $45.55 | 170 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $94,570 | $93,870 | $45.47 | 140 |
| Huntington, WV | $94,310 | $100,300 | $45.34 | 30 |
| Riverside, CA | $94,120 | $98,060 | $45.25 | 270 |
| Houston, TX | $93,920 | $104,620 | $45.16 | 530 |
| Syracuse, NY | $93,580 | $97,300 | $44.99 | 290 |
| Springfield, MA | $93,320 | $94,860 | $44.87 | 30 |
| Anchorage, AK | $92,660 | $96,630 | $44.55 | 150 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $92,650 | $101,140 | $44.54 | 80 |
| Des Moines, IA | $92,510 | $100,700 | $44.48 | n/a |
| Washington, DC | $91,270 | $92,320 | $43.88 | 240 |
| Duluth, MN | $91,210 | $94,390 | $43.85 | 220 |
| College Station, TX | $90,490 | $101,560 | $43.51 | 40 |
| Orlando, FL | $89,760 | $84,690 | $43.16 | 290 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $89,520 | $88,870 | $43.04 | 60 |
| Norwich, CT | $89,190 | $79,450 | $42.88 | 30 |
| Manhattan, KS | $88,800 | $98,840 | $42.69 | 70 |
| Portland, ME | $87,410 | $88,520 | $42.03 | 70 |
| Rochester, NY | $85,960 | $80,820 | $41.33 | 40 |
| Greenville, SC | $85,870 | $81,580 | $41.29 | 60 |
| Little Rock, AR | $83,990 | $89,460 | $40.38 | 50 |
| Lexington, KY | $83,100 | $84,150 | $39.95 | 30 |
| Waterloo, IA | $83,090 | $76,550 | $39.95 | 30 |
| Madison, WI | $82,020 | $73,300 | $39.44 | 100 |
| Columbia, SC | $81,850 | $79,600 | $39.35 | 150 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $81,420 | $75,300 | $39.15 | 50 |
| Charleston, SC | $79,910 | $79,900 | $38.42 | 150 |
| Watertown, NY | $79,290 | $75,140 | $38.12 | 50 |
| Gainesville, FL | $78,880 | $78,890 | $37.92 | 50 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $78,110 | $67,580 | $37.55 | 150 |
| Savannah, GA | $76,400 | $59,010 | $36.73 | 40 |
| Pensacola, FL | $75,930 | $71,070 | $36.51 | 30 |
| Wichita, KS | $75,570 | $63,240 | $36.33 | 70 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,140 | $66,080 | $35.17 | 40 |
| Miami, FL | $73,000 | $62,080 | $35.09 | 380 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $69,360 | $57,980 | $33.35 | 30 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $67,360 | $64,580 | $32.38 | 40 |
| Richmond, VA | $67,130 | $63,640 | $32.28 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $64,660 | $66,500 | $31.09 | 110 |
| San Juan, PR | $62,930 | $71,180 | $30.26 | 70 |
Related jobs
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsU.S. average $62,540
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- Chemical Plant and System OperatorsU.S. average $79,970
- Plant and System Operators, All OtherU.S. average $65,700
- Power Distributors and DispatchersU.S. average $111,320
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Power Plant Operators salary: questions
Where do power plant operators make the most money?
In Wenatchee, WA, with an average of $150,930 a year, among the 113 metro areas we cover.
What is the average power plant operators salary in the U.S.?
$99,790 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $102,040, so half of power plant operators earn more than that and half less.
What salary should power plant operators ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of power plant operators nationwide earn between $79,690 (25th percentile) and $119,080 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays power plant operators the most?
Washington, with a statewide average of $128,230 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is power plant operators pay the lowest?
San Juan, PR, at $62,930 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-8013.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.