Power Plant Operator salary in Birmingham, AL
Power Plant Operators in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $106,990 a year ($51.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,660 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Alabama statewide median of $107,080. There are 0.54 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,610, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,710 | $37.84 |
| 25th percentile | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Median | $106,990 | $51.44 |
| 75th percentile | $112,280 | $53.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,660 | $58.01 |
| Average (mean) | $98,610 | $47.41 |
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 | $8,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,457.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,115 |
| Weekly | $2,057.50 |
| Hourly | $51.44 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $115,920 | 30 |
| Montgomery, AL | $107,080 | 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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $56,130 | $26.98 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $138,260 | $66.47 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,760 | $36.43 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,270 | $21.77 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Machinist | $50,780 | $24.41 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,290 | $19.37 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,530 | $19.49 |
| Printing Press Operator | $37,620 | $18.09 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $106,990 a year, or $51.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $120,660 a year. The top 25% earn $112,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,710 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $80,350 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Birmingham, AL?
About 280 power plant operators are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.