Power Plant Operator salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Power Plant Operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $86,280 a year ($41.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,040 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 19% lower than the New York statewide median of $106,990. There are 0.16 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,250 | $32.33 |
| 25th percentile | $74,950 | $36.04 |
| Median | $86,280 | $41.48 |
| 75th percentile | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| Average (mean) | $96,400 | $46.35 |
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 | $7,190 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,595 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,318.46 |
| Weekly | $1,659.23 |
| Hourly | $41.48 |
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 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $103,300 | 150 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $99,020 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $97,300 | 290 |
| 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $69,260 | $33.30 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $85,350 | $41.04 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,900 | $20.14 |
| Machinist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,420 | $26.65 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $54,340 | $26.13 |
| Baker | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,400 | $24.23 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $86,280 a year, or $41.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $127,040 a year. The top 25% earn $127,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,250 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $74,950 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 80 power plant operators are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.