Power Plant Operator salary in Alabama
Power Plant Operators in Alabama earn a median of $107,080 a year ($51.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,520 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $102,040. Alabama ranks 13th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.37 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,330, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| 25th percentile | $86,770 | $41.72 |
| Median | $107,080 | $51.48 |
| 75th percentile | $118,380 | $56.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,520 | $59.39 |
| Average (mean) | $102,330 | $49.20 |
Half of power plant operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,461.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,118.46 |
| Weekly | $2,059.23 |
| Hourly | $51.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $115,920 | 30 |
| Montgomery, AL | $107,080 | 60 |
| Birmingham, AL | $106,990 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 |
| Nevada | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 |
| Idaho | $124,440 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 |
| Maryland | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $109,830 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $51,870 | $24.94 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $119,000 | $57.21 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $53,470 | $25.71 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $114,570 | $55.08 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,060 | $35.13 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,910 | $17.26 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make in Alabama?
The median salary for power plant operators in Alabama is $107,080 a year, or $51.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Alabama earn at least $123,520 a year. The top 25% earn $118,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,250 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $86,770 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Alabama?
About 790 power plant operators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.