Power Plant Operator salary in Arizona
Power Plant Operators in Arizona earn a median of $84,970 a year ($40.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,910 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $102,040. Arizona ranks 42nd of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.12 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $89,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,560 | $27.67 |
| 25th percentile | $65,920 | $31.69 |
| Median | $84,970 | $40.85 |
| 75th percentile | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,910 | $57.17 |
| Average (mean) | $89,350 | $42.96 |
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 | $7,080.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,540.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,268.08 |
| Weekly | $1,634.04 |
| Hourly | $40.85 |
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 Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $67,580 | 150 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,260 | $33.30 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $104,600 | $50.29 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $98,510 | $47.36 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Machinist | $61,080 | $29.37 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
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 Arizona?
The median salary for power plant operators in Arizona is $84,970 a year, or $40.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Arizona?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Arizona earn at least $118,910 a year. The top 25% earn $104,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,560 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $65,920 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Arizona?
About 390 power plant operators are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.