Power Plant Operator salary in Decatur, AL
Power Plant Operators in the Decatur, AL metro area earn a median of $115,920 a year ($55.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,110 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 8% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $107,080. There are 0.51 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $105,510, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Decatur, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,950 | $27.86 |
| 25th percentile | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Median | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| 75th percentile | $118,170 | $56.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,110 | $57.27 |
| Average (mean) | $105,510 | $50.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $107,080 | 60 |
| Birmingham, AL | $106,990 | 280 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Decatur, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $84,270 | $40.51 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $82,170 | $39.51 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Machinist | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $58,270 | $28.01 |
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 Decatur, AL?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Decatur, AL metro area is $115,920 a year, or $55.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Decatur, AL?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Decatur, AL metro area earn at least $119,110 a year. The top 25% earn $118,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Decatur, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,950 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $105,370 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Decatur, AL?
About 30 power plant operators are employed in the Decatur, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.