Power Plant Operator salary in Connecticut
Power Plant Operators in Connecticut earn a median of $97,460 a year ($46.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,410 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,040. Connecticut ranks 34th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.15 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $102,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| 25th percentile | $82,400 | $39.61 |
| Median | $97,460 | $46.85 |
| 75th percentile | $124,860 | $60.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,410 | $63.18 |
| Average (mean) | $102,700 | $49.37 |
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 | $8,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,060.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,748.46 |
| Weekly | $1,874.23 |
| Hourly | $46.85 |
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 Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | $123,840 | 50 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $96,650 | 70 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $95,780 | 50 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $79,450 | 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 |
Related jobs in Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $78,820 | $37.90 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $94,870 | $45.61 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $68,950 | $33.15 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $109,060 | $52.43 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $56,880 | $27.35 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,170 | $21.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $83,150 | $39.98 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| Machinist | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Baker | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $42,580 | $20.47 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,280 | $22.25 |
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for power plant operators in Connecticut is $97,460 a year, or $46.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Connecticut earn at least $131,410 a year. The top 25% earn $124,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,110 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $82,400 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Connecticut?
About 250 power plant operators are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.