Power Plant Operators Salary by State
The national median pay for power plant operators is $102,040 a year. By state, it ranges from $66,080 in Wisconsin to $131,620 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $61,790
- 25th percentile
- $79,690
- Median
- $102,040
- 75th percentile
- $119,080
- Top 10%
- $131,940
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 29,320 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $131,620 | +29% | $85,390 | $168,610 | 430 |
| 2 | Nevada | $131,400 | +29% | $71,760 | $141,600 | 250 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $131,370 | +29% | $83,510 | $131,940 | 300 |
| 4 | Idaho | $124,440 | +22% | $68,960 | $137,670 | 310 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $122,160 | +20% | $104,300 | $134,280 | 150 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $121,700 | +19% | $103,430 | $134,770 | 290 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $115,920 | +14% | $68,060 | $125,690 | 490 |
| 8 | Maryland | $111,260 | +9% | $85,120 | $122,030 | 330 |
| 9 | Oregon | $109,830 | +8% | $76,740 | $145,110 | 250 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $108,300 | +6% | $62,580 | $132,040 | 420 |
| 11 | Georgia | $107,580 | +5% | $58,660 | $124,670 | 590 |
| 12 | Utah | $107,120 | +5% | $77,440 | $126,190 | 420 |
| 13 | Alabama | $107,080 | +5% | $76,250 | $123,520 | 790 |
| 14 | Indiana | $107,000 | +5% | $76,700 | $123,540 | 1,190 |
| 15 | New York | $106,990 | +5% | $64,580 | $142,310 | 1,960 |
| 16 | Montana | $106,040 | +4% | $62,840 | $120,560 | 130 |
| 17 | Michigan | $105,820 | +4% | $74,520 | $131,250 | 1,220 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $105,510 | +3% | $46,350 | $121,690 | 130 |
| 19 | California | $105,210 | +3% | $63,510 | $171,800 | 2,610 |
| 20 | Illinois | $104,440 | +2% | $77,330 | $128,040 | 1,160 |
| 21 | Ohio | $104,160 | +2% | $69,180 | $119,170 | 730 |
| 22 | Delaware | $103,010 | +1% | $85,750 | $128,330 | 80 |
| 23 | Colorado | $102,780 | +1% | $76,900 | $137,720 | 250 |
| 24 | Texas | $102,510 | 0% | $55,500 | $127,710 | 2,100 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $102,400 | 0% | $65,770 | $125,690 | 450 |
| 26 | Missouri | $101,900 | 0% | $60,120 | $128,430 | Not published |
| 27 | Louisiana | $101,170 | −1% | $62,410 | $123,910 | 370 |
| 28 | Iowa | $100,500 | −2% | $63,320 | $109,690 | 470 |
| 29 | Massachusetts | $100,140 | −2% | $68,150 | $130,850 | 880 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $99,200 | −3% | $82,650 | $119,380 | 230 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $98,210 | −4% | $65,850 | $125,570 | 360 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $98,050 | −4% | $69,570 | $134,120 | 50 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $97,760 | −4% | $62,000 | $102,650 | 220 |
| 34 | Connecticut | $97,460 | −4% | $76,110 | $131,410 | 250 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $97,210 | −5% | $57,180 | $119,990 | 170 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | $95,800 | −6% | $64,010 | $128,180 | 1,010 |
| 37 | Minnesota | $94,390 | −7% | $72,540 | $125,900 | 970 |
| 38 | Florida | $94,290 | −8% | $47,840 | $126,330 | 1,640 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $93,400 | −8% | $66,830 | $118,400 | 690 |
| 40 | Alaska | $88,870 | −13% | $43,260 | $135,690 | 650 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $88,590 | −13% | $55,390 | $107,640 | 520 |
| 42 | Arizona | $84,970 | −17% | $57,560 | $118,910 | 390 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | $81,070 | −21% | $58,010 | $128,510 | 90 |
| 44 | Maine | $81,060 | −21% | $61,220 | $106,910 | 190 |
| 45 | Kansas | $79,980 | −22% | $46,580 | $129,990 | 520 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $79,900 | −22% | $58,880 | $100,200 | 680 |
| 47 | Vermont | $78,240 | −23% | $49,110 | $127,790 | 140 |
| 48 | Virginia | $73,640 | −28% | $47,190 | $102,770 | 590 |
| 49 | Wisconsin | $66,080 | −35% | $54,960 | $118,270 | 420 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Power Plant Operators salary questions
Which state pays power plant operators the most?
Washington, with a median of $131,620 a year (+29% vs. the national median of $102,040). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays power plant operators the least?
Wisconsin, with a median of $66,080 a year (−35% vs. national).
Where do most power plant operators work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,610, with a median of $105,210.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.