Power Plant Operator salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Power Plant Operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $115,920 a year ($55.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,990 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $115,920. There are 0.21 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,110, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| 25th percentile | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Median | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| 75th percentile | $121,720 | $58.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,990 | $64.90 |
| Average (mean) | $100,110 | $48.13 |
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 | $9,660 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,830 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,458.46 |
| Weekly | $2,229.23 |
| Hourly | $55.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $119,380 | 260 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $119,080 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $115,920 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $113,540 | 90 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $105,370 | 80 |
| Savannah, GA | $59,010 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,330 | $21.80 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Baker | $40,880 | $19.65 |
| Machinist | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,320 | $19.87 |
| Printing Press Operator | $37,020 | $17.80 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $115,920 a year, or $55.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $134,990 a year. The top 25% earn $121,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,210 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $61,110 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 60 power plant operators are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.