Power Plant Operator salary in Anchorage, AK
Power Plant Operators in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn a median of $96,630 a year ($46.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,690 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 9% higher than the Alaska statewide median of $88,870. There are 0.83 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,660, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Anchorage, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| 25th percentile | $62,240 | $29.92 |
| Median | $96,630 | $46.46 |
| 75th percentile | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,690 | $65.23 |
| Average (mean) | $92,660 | $44.55 |
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 | $8,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,026.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,716.54 |
| Weekly | $1,858.27 |
| Hourly | $46.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Alaska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Anchorage, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $80,740 | $38.82 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Baker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,530 | $20.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,860 | $22.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $71,470 | $34.36 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,610 | $19.52 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Anchorage, AK
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 Anchorage, AK?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Anchorage, AK metro area is $96,630 a year, or $46.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Anchorage, AK?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Anchorage, AK metro area earn at least $135,690 a year. The top 25% earn $105,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Anchorage, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,950 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $62,240 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Anchorage, AK?
About 150 power plant operators are employed in the Anchorage, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.