Power Plant Operator salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Power Plant Operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $103,300 a year ($49.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,310 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 3% lower than the New York statewide median of $106,990. There are 0.33 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| 25th percentile | $81,160 | $39.02 |
| Median | $103,300 | $49.66 |
| 75th percentile | $125,860 | $60.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,310 | $68.42 |
| Average (mean) | $106,050 | $50.98 |
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 | $8,608.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,304.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,973.08 |
| Weekly | $1,986.54 |
| Hourly | $49.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $131,770 | 1,090 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $99,020 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $97,300 | 290 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $86,280 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $80,820 | 40 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $75,140 | 50 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $64,580 | 40 |
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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $87,000 | $41.83 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $62,470 | $30.04 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| Baker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Machinist | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Printing Press Operator | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,440 | $29.06 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $103,300 a year, or $49.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $142,310 a year. The top 25% earn $125,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,910 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $81,160 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 150 power plant operators are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.