Power Plant Operators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for power plant operators in the U.S. is $102,040 ($49.06 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $102,040
- Mean annual wage
- $99,790
- Median hourly wage
- $49.06
- Employment
- 29,320
29,320 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| 25th percentile | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Median (50th) | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| 75th percentile | $119,080 | $57.25 |
| 90th percentile | $131,940 | $63.44 |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- Wisconsin: $66,080 median annual wage
- Virginia: $73,640 median annual wage
- Vermont: $78,240 median annual wage
- South Carolina: $79,900 median annual wage
- Kansas: $79,980 median annual wage
About this occupation
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Typical tasks
- Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
- Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
- Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 1.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 27.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 32.3% |
| Associate's degree | 17.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 17.6% |
| Master's degree | 3.6% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.