Power Plant Operators Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$99,950
Highest Paying City
San Francisco
$139,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Power Plant Operators Do?
Power Plant Operators operate machinery, assemble products, and oversee manufacturing processes that produce goods used by consumers and businesses. Their precision and attention to quality ensure that products meet exacting standards.
Most work in manufacturing plants and factories. The work can be repetitive and physically demanding, requiring standing for long periods and operating heavy machinery. Shift work, including nights and weekends, is common.
Key Skills for Power Plant Operators
Education Requirements
High school diploma; on-the-job training or technical certification
Most positions require a high school diploma with on-the-job training. Skilled trades like machinists and tool and die makers may require apprenticeships or postsecondary technical training. CNC programming roles benefit from formal certification.
Career Outlook
Employment is projected to decline slightly in some areas due to automation, though skilled positions like CNC operators and quality inspectors remain in demand.
How to Increase Your Power Plant Operators Salary
- 1.Earn certifications in quality control (Six Sigma, ISO standards)
- 2.Develop skills in robotics and automation technology
- 3.Pursue training in multiple production processes for versatility
- 4.Stay current with manufacturing technology and safety standards
- 5.Consider supervisory training for advancement to shift leader or manager
Power Plant Operators Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $139,000 | $147,000 | $76,000 - $186,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Jose, CA | $139,000 | $148,000 | $76,000 - $186,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $131,000 | $138,000 | $72,000 - $175,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $126,000 | $132,000 | $69,000 - $169,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $126,000 | $135,000 | $69,000 - $169,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $120,000 | $125,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $119,000 | $132,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $112,000 | $115,000 | $62,000 - $150,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $112,000 | $117,000 | $62,000 - $150,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $111,000 | $120,000 | $61,000 - $148,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $111,000 | $119,000 | $61,000 - $148,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $109,000 | $111,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $109,000 | $120,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $109,000 | $118,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $108,000 | $113,000 | $59,000 - $144,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $107,000 | $118,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $107,000 | $117,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $106,000 | $114,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $105,000 | $112,000 | $58,000 - $140,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $105,000 | $115,000 | $58,000 - $140,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $104,000 | $107,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $102,000 | $114,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $102,000 | $111,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $101,000 | $105,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $100,000 | $109,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $99,000 | $107,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $99,000 | $101,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $99,000 | $102,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $98,000 | $101,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $98,000 | $107,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $97,000 | $108,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $97,000 | $105,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $97,000 | $101,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $96,000 | $107,000 | $58,000 - $125,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $95,000 | $101,000 | $57,000 - $124,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $95,000 | $98,000 | $57,000 - $124,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $95,000 | $102,000 | $57,000 - $124,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $94,000 | $97,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,000 | $104,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $94,000 | $97,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $93,000 | $98,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $93,000 | $100,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $93,000 | $103,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $93,000 | $102,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $92,000 | $94,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $92,000 | $102,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $91,000 | $94,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $91,000 | $98,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | USD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $91,000 | $97,000 | $55,000 - $118,000 | CAD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $90,000 | $97,000 | $54,000 - $117,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $90,000 | $93,000 | $54,000 - $117,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $88,000 | $94,000 | $53,000 - $114,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $88,000 | $90,000 | $53,000 - $114,000 | USD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $86,000 | $95,000 | $52,000 - $112,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $85,000 | $95,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $78,000 | $86,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $76,000 | $83,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $76,000 | $84,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $74,000 | $76,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $70,000 | $78,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | CAD | Apply |