SOC 518013

Power Plant Operators

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Excludes "Nuclear Power Reactor Operators" (51-8011).

National Median

$99,670

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$99,670

Entry Level (10th pct)

$59,930

Experienced (90th pct)

$128,760

Total Employed

30,720

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$59,930 - $77,400
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$77,400 - $111,980
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$111,980 - $128,760

Highest Paying Locations for Power Plant Operators

Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

$156,260

+56.8% vs national

Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA

$140,800

+41.3% vs national

Fresno, CA

$136,640

+37.1% vs national

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$136,300

+36.8% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$133,460

+33.9% vs national

Power Plant Operators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$156,260	180
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA	$140,800	50
Fresno, CA	$136,640	150
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$136,300	60
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$133,460	140
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$128,340	1,250
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$127,190	50
Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$125,580	30
Washington	$124,050	570
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$123,400	50
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$122,490	100
New York	$121,760	2,350
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$120,990	150
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$118,520	290
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$118,490	110
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area	$117,120	80
Hawaii	$115,190	430
Oregon	$114,500	200
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$112,680	50
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$110,990	100
Urban Honolulu, HI	$110,450	270
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$110,190	N/A
New Jersey	$109,970	210
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$109,480	150
North Dakota	$109,340	170
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$109,340	N/A
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$108,730	N/A
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$108,460	60
Decatur, AL	$108,040	50
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$108,000	160
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$107,790	360
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$107,650	690
Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT	$107,480	40
Tennessee	$107,380	550
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$107,360	230
Arizona	$107,210	890
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area	$107,110	50
Nevada	$106,990	390
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	$106,930	100
Jacksonville, FL	$106,740	90
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$106,320	190
Maryland	$106,300	310
Ann Arbor, MI	$106,220	30
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$106,030	450
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$105,870	130
Reno, NV	$105,820	100
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$105,740	90
Lubbock, TX	$105,700	40
Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area	$105,680	110
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$105,670	360

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Power Plant Operators?

The national median annual salary for Power Plant Operators is $99,670, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Power Plant Operatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Power Plant Operatorss is Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, with a median salary of $156,260.

How much can an experienced Power Plant Operators make?

Top-earning Power Plant Operatorss (90th percentile) make $128,760 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.