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Power Plant Operators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in North Dakota (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Power Plant Operators salary grow from entry-level to senior in North Dakota? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

29% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • North Dakota salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$104,300
$8,692/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$122,160
$10,180/mo
Senior (P90)
$134,280
$11,190/mo

North Dakota vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$104,300
National: $67,181
+55.3%
Mid-Career (Median)
$122,160
National: $101,174
+20.7%
Senior (P90)
$134,280
National: $127,090
+5.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Power Plant Operators in North Dakota spans from $104,300 at entry-level to $134,280 at senior level — a difference of $29,980 per year.

P10
$104K
P25
$115K
Median
$122K
P75
$122K
P90
$134K

Career Growth Premium: +29%

Senior Power Plant Operatorss in North Dakota earn $29,980 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$29,980
Monthly Difference
+$2,498
Hourly Difference
+$14.41
Growth Multiple
1.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Power Plant Operators salary increases with experience in North Dakota, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $104,300 $8,692 $50.14
Early Career P25 $115,210 $9,601 $55.39
Mid-Career Median $122,160 $10,180 $58.73
Experienced P75 $122,160 $10,180 $58.73
Senior / Expert P90 $134,280 $11,190 $64.56
Key Insight

Power Plant Operators in North Dakota has a moderate salary progression with a 29% growth from entry-level ($104,300) to senior ($134,280). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($122,160) and P90 ($134,280) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How North Dakota Compares to Other States

Where does North Dakota rank for Power Plant Operators senior-level salaries? Compare North Dakota's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$171,800
Entry: $63K
+171%
2
$168,610
Entry: $85K
+97%
3
$145,110
Entry: $76K
+89%
4
$142,310
Entry: $64K
+120%
5
$141,600
Entry: $71K
+97%
6
$137,720
Entry: $76K
+79%
7
$137,670
Entry: $68K
+100%
8
$135,690
Entry: $43K
+214%
9
$134,770
Entry: $103K
+30%
10
$134,280
Entry: $104K
+29%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Power Plant Operators?

Entry-level Power Plant Operatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $104,300 per year, or $8,691 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $115,210. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Power Plant Operators make?

Senior Power Plant Operatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $134,280 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $122,160. This represents a career premium of 29% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Power Plant Operators?

The career salary growth potential for Power Plant Operatorss is 29%. Entry-level professionals start at $104,300, while senior-level can earn up to $134,280 — a difference of $29,980 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Power Plant Operatorss?

The highest-paying state for senior Power Plant Operatorss is North Dakota, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $134,280 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Power Plant Operators salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for North Dakota from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within North Dakota.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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