Power Plant Operator salary in Columbus, OH
Power Plant Operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $110,030 a year ($52.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,270 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 6% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $104,160. There are 0.11 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $100,520, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,660 | $36.38 |
| 25th percentile | $78,200 | $37.60 |
| Median | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| 75th percentile | $111,720 | $53.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,270 | $57.82 |
| Average (mean) | $100,520 | $48.33 |
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 | $9,169.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,584.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,231.92 |
| Weekly | $2,115.96 |
| Hourly | $52.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,820 | 220 |
| Toledo, OH | $107,440 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $100,300 | 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $79,680 | $38.31 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $68,690 | $33.03 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,540 | $22.37 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,260 | $24.64 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,150 | $24.11 |
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $110,030 a year, or $52.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $120,270 a year. The top 25% earn $111,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,660 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $78,200 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Columbus, OH?
About 130 power plant operators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.