Power Plant Operator salary in Alaska
Power Plant Operators in Alaska earn a median of $88,870 a year ($42.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,690 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $102,040. Alaska ranks 40th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 2.0 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Alaska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| 25th percentile | $62,240 | $29.92 |
| Median | $88,870 | $42.73 |
| 75th percentile | $108,540 | $52.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,690 | $65.23 |
| Average (mean) | $89,690 | $43.12 |
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 | $7,405.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,702.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,418.08 |
| Weekly | $1,709.04 |
| Hourly | $42.73 |
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 Alaska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $96,630 | 150 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $88,870 | 60 |
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 Alaska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,160 | $28.92 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $88,330 | $42.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $80,840 | $38.87 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Baker | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,530 | $20.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $50,450 | $24.26 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,460 | $22.34 |
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 Alaska?
The median salary for power plant operators in Alaska is $88,870 a year, or $42.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Alaska?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Alaska earn at least $135,690 a year. The top 25% earn $108,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Alaska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,260 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $62,240 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Alaska?
About 650 power plant operators are employed in Alaska, not counting the self-employed.