Power Plant Operator salary in Colorado
Power Plant Operators in Colorado earn a median of $102,780 a year ($49.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,720 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $102,040. Colorado ranks 23rd of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.09 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $108,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| 25th percentile | $90,210 | $43.37 |
| Median | $102,780 | $49.42 |
| 75th percentile | $133,020 | $63.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,720 | $66.21 |
| Average (mean) | $108,860 | $52.34 |
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 | $8,565 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,282.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,953.08 |
| Weekly | $1,976.54 |
| Hourly | $49.42 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $102,780 | 90 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $74,200 | $35.68 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,080 | $47.15 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,350 | $28.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Baker | $40,650 | $19.55 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Food Batchmaker | $44,900 | $21.59 |
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 Colorado?
The median salary for power plant operators in Colorado is $102,780 a year, or $49.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Colorado earn at least $137,720 a year. The top 25% earn $133,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,900 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $90,210 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Colorado?
About 250 power plant operators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.