Plant and System Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Plant and System Operators Make?
Plant and System Operators earn a median annual salary of $61,710 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $40,250 at the 10th percentile to $92,750 at the 90th percentile — a range of $52,500. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $83,060.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,250 |
| 25th percentile | $47,860 |
| Median (50th) | $61,710 |
| 75th percentile | $76,910 |
| 90th percentile | $92,750 |
Plant and System Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesotatop | $83,060 |
| Washington | $82,040 |
| Maryland | $80,080 |
| Montana | $78,850 |
| Alaska | $78,620 |
| Kentucky | $77,690 |
| New Jersey | $74,700 |
| California | $73,950 |
| Kansas | $73,170 |
| New York | $72,410 |
| West Virginia | $70,660 |
| Wisconsin | $70,010 |
| Nevada | $69,280 |
| Indiana | $68,780 |
| Michigan | $67,320 |
| Oklahoma | $67,230 |
| Arizona | $66,540 |
| Oregon | $65,150 |
| Utah | $63,380 |
| Mississippi | $63,260 |
| Tennessee | $63,160 |
| New Hampshire | $62,830 |
| Connecticut | $62,590 |
| Ohio | $62,140 |
| Idaho | $61,960 |
| Illinois | $61,710 |
| North Carolina | $61,280 |
| Maine | $60,060 |
| Wyoming | $60,050 |
| Louisiana | $59,720 |
| South Dakota | $58,750 |
| Iowa | $58,340 |
| Virginia | $57,740 |
| South Carolina | $54,140 |
| New Mexico | $54,080 |
| Florida | $53,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,270 |
| Colorado | $52,210 |
| Texas | $50,470 |
| Georgia | $50,270 |
| Nebraska | $46,340 |
| Missouri | $40,610 |
| Arkansas | $39,160 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Plant and System Operators
Plant and System Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$40,250 – $47,860 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$61,710 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$76,910 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $92,750+ |
How to Earn More as a Plant and System Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Plant and System Operators in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $84,840 — $23,130 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($76,910) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 51-8099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.