Power Plant Operator salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Power Plant Operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $109,820 a year ($52.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,110 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 5% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $104,160. There are 0.20 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,790, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| 25th percentile | $77,350 | $37.19 |
| Median | $109,820 | $52.80 |
| 75th percentile | $110,280 | $53.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,110 | $58.71 |
| Average (mean) | $99,790 | $47.98 |
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 | $9,151.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,575.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,223.85 |
| Weekly | $2,111.92 |
| Hourly | $52.80 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $123,540 | 640 |
| Columbus, OH | $110,030 | 130 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $109,090 | 100 |
| Toledo, OH | $107,440 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $104,120 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $103,030 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $100,300 | 30 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $84,150 | 30 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $78,820 | $37.89 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $67,390 | $32.40 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $108,590 | $52.21 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,990 | $24.99 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $54,790 | $26.34 |
| Machinist | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Printing Press Operator | $48,890 | $23.51 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $109,820 a year, or $52.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $122,110 a year. The top 25% earn $110,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,970 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $77,350 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 220 power plant operators are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.