Power Plant Operator salary in Duluth, MN-WI
Power Plant Operators in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area earn a median of $94,390 a year ($45.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,870 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Minnesota statewide median of $94,390. There are 1.8 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,210, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Duluth, MN-WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| 25th percentile | $83,860 | $40.32 |
| Median | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| 75th percentile | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,870 | $56.19 |
| Average (mean) | $91,210 | $43.85 |
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 | $7,865.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,932.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,630.38 |
| Weekly | $1,815.19 |
| Hourly | $45.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,000 | 470 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $75,300 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | $73,300 | 100 |
| Green Bay, WI | $66,080 | 40 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Duluth, MN-WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,260 | $36.18 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $88,290 | $42.45 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,340 | $36.70 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Machinist | $69,440 | $33.39 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Baker | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,410 | $22.79 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Duluth, MN-WI
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 Duluth, MN-WI?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area is $94,390 a year, or $45.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Duluth, MN-WI?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area earn at least $116,870 a year. The top 25% earn $94,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Duluth, MN-WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,190 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $83,860 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Duluth, MN-WI?
About 220 power plant operators are employed in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.