Power Plant Operators Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 50 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Power Plant Operators Salary in All 50 States
Compare Power Plant Operators pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $124,050 | $119,570 | $81,220 | $157,150 | 570 |
| New York | $121,760 | $112,300 | $62,890 | $141,570 | 2,350 |
| Hawaii | $115,190 | $110,470 | $83,920 | $128,120 | 430 |
| Oregon | $114,500 | $110,550 | $73,460 | $140,660 | 200 |
| New Jersey | $109,970 | $106,940 | $80,970 | $123,670 | 210 |
| North Dakota | $109,340 | $103,490 | $74,990 | $134,260 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $107,380 | $99,520 | $65,930 | $117,120 | 550 |
| Arizona | $107,210 | $98,940 | $63,750 | $112,100 | 890 |
| Nevada | $106,990 | $106,590 | $67,050 | $136,400 | 390 |
| Maryland | $106,300 | $101,670 | $80,470 | $118,310 | 310 |
| California | $105,520 | $110,380 | $61,320 | $168,180 | 2,390 |
| South Dakota | $105,400 | $98,530 | $65,470 | $130,110 | 40 |
| Wyoming | $105,330 | $104,300 | $86,660 | $123,200 | 210 |
| Michigan | $103,880 | $97,930 | $63,870 | $120,000 | 1,200 |
| Utah | $103,760 | $94,260 | $68,320 | $112,680 | 340 |
| Alabama | $103,640 | $97,030 | $61,320 | $123,480 | 730 |
| Georgia | $103,590 | $91,820 | $52,440 | $123,960 | 420 |
| Texas | $103,120 | $91,770 | $49,710 | $125,550 | 1,880 |
| Illinois | $103,020 | $97,440 | $75,920 | $108,810 | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $102,750 | $103,470 | $65,480 | $134,390 | 280 |
| Indiana | $102,730 | $95,740 | $70,160 | $121,980 | 900 |
| Montana | $102,610 | $96,350 | $54,410 | $115,830 | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $102,080 | $97,430 | $64,750 | $126,750 | 1,060 |
| Delaware | $101,790 | $104,450 | $82,970 | $120,150 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $100,840 | $99,260 | $61,760 | $132,310 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $99,290 | $98,000 | $59,220 | $127,900 | 500 |
| Iowa | $98,880 | $88,970 | $60,700 | $106,250 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $98,760 | $98,690 | $57,930 | $138,080 | 240 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 | $85,230 | $41,930 | $105,410 | 130 |
| Colorado | $98,570 | $99,510 | $77,690 | $130,080 | 380 |
| Vermont | $98,260 | $93,810 | $47,480 | $129,180 | 130 |
| Ohio | $97,810 | $92,090 | $65,250 | $107,270 | 630 |
| West Virginia | $96,230 | $92,420 | $70,620 | $109,270 | 300 |
| Mississippi | $94,930 | $90,800 | $63,710 | $117,120 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $94,500 | $89,230 | $47,850 | $114,270 | 570 |
| Connecticut | $92,310 | $96,080 | $67,430 | $125,860 | 220 |
| Kansas | $89,630 | $84,650 | $36,490 | $127,100 | 500 |
| Arkansas | $88,860 | $85,580 | $58,780 | $106,610 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $88,090 | $88,000 | $64,040 | $117,720 | 710 |
| Kentucky | $87,330 | $84,620 | $49,180 | $108,040 | 550 |
| Missouri | $86,240 | $87,020 | $56,840 | $120,100 | 760 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,260 | $87,100 | $56,270 | $115,550 | 1,380 |
| Alaska | $85,070 | $88,180 | $42,140 | $143,890 | 750 |
| Florida | $84,030 | $89,110 | $56,060 | $129,140 | 1,330 |
| Wisconsin | $81,250 | $86,680 | $56,790 | $120,040 | 660 |
| Oklahoma | $80,780 | $79,090 | $46,220 | $104,160 | 600 |
| South Carolina | $78,580 | $81,550 | $61,380 | $99,750 | 850 |
| Virginia | $78,460 | $79,000 | $52,200 | $105,420 | 730 |
| Maine | $78,080 | $79,540 | $60,610 | $102,190 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $72,370 | $76,550 | $51,180 | $108,980 | 150 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Power Plant Operators Salary FAQs
Which state pays Power Plant Operatorss the most?
Washington pays the highest median salary for Power Plant Operatorss at $124,050 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Washington ($124,050), New York ($121,760), Hawaii ($115,190), Oregon ($114,500), New Jersey ($109,970).
What is the average Power Plant Operators salary nationally?
The average median Power Plant Operators salary across all 50 states is $98,100 per year. The salary ranges from $72,370 in New Hampshire to $124,050 in Washington — a difference of $51,680.
Which state pays Power Plant Operatorss the least?
New Hampshire has the lowest median Power Plant Operators salary at $72,370 per year. However, cost of living in New Hampshire may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.