Power Plant Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Power Plant Operators Make?
Power Plant Operators earn a median annual salary of $99,670 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $59,930 at the 10th percentile to $128,760 at the 90th percentile — a range of $68,830. The highest-paying state is Washington at $124,050.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $59,930 |
| 25th percentile | $77,400 |
| Median (50th) | $99,670 |
| 75th percentile | $111,980 |
| 90th percentile | $128,760 |
Power Plant Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $124,050 |
| New York | $121,760 |
| Hawaii | $115,190 |
| Oregon | $114,500 |
| New Jersey | $109,970 |
| North Dakota | $109,340 |
| Tennessee | $107,380 |
| Arizona | $107,210 |
| Nevada | $106,990 |
| Maryland | $106,300 |
| California | $105,520 |
| South Dakota | $105,400 |
| Wyoming | $105,330 |
| Michigan | $103,880 |
| Utah | $103,760 |
| Alabama | $103,640 |
| Georgia | $103,590 |
| Texas | $103,120 |
| Illinois | $103,020 |
| Idaho | $102,750 |
| Indiana | $102,730 |
| Montana | $102,610 |
| Massachusetts | $102,080 |
| Delaware | $101,790 |
| Rhode Island | $100,840 |
| North Carolina | $99,290 |
| Iowa | $98,880 |
| Nebraska | $98,760 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 |
| Colorado | $98,570 |
| Vermont | $98,260 |
| Ohio | $97,810 |
| West Virginia | $96,230 |
| Mississippi | $94,930 |
| Louisiana | $94,500 |
| Connecticut | $92,310 |
| Kansas | $89,630 |
| Arkansas | $88,860 |
| Minnesota | $88,090 |
| Kentucky | $87,330 |
| Missouri | $86,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,260 |
| Alaska | $85,070 |
| Florida | $84,030 |
| Wisconsin | $81,250 |
| Oklahoma | $80,780 |
| South Carolina | $78,580 |
| Virginia | $78,460 |
| Maine | $78,080 |
| New Hampshire | $72,370 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Power Plant Operators
Power Plant 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) | ~$59,930 – $77,400 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$99,670 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$111,980 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $128,760+ |
How to Earn More as a Power Plant Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Power Plant Operators in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA earn $156,260 — $56,590 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($111,980) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Power Plant Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operatorthis career | $99,670 |
| Geothermal Production Manager | $121,440 |
| Biomass Power Plant Manager | $121,440 |
| Hydroelectric Production Manager | $121,440 |
| Nuclear Technician | $104,240 |
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SOC: 51-8013.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.