Power Plant Operator salary in El Paso, TX
Power Plant Operators in the El Paso, TX metro area earn a median of $97,670 a year ($46.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,520 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 5% lower than the Texas statewide median of $102,510. There are 0.23 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in El Paso, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| 25th percentile | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Median | $97,670 | $46.96 |
| 75th percentile | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Average (mean) | $97,980 | $47.11 |
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 | $8,139.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,069.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,756.54 |
| Weekly | $1,878.27 |
| Hourly | $46.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $110,950 | 220 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $106,720 | 240 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $104,620 | 530 |
| Lubbock, TX | $101,900 | 40 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $101,560 | 40 |
| Longview, TX | $100,180 | 120 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $85,350 | 170 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in El Paso, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $22,400 | $10.77 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $45,000 | $21.63 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| Baker | $28,810 | $13.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $26,380 | $12.68 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $31,230 | $15.02 |
| Machinist | $46,880 | $22.54 |
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 El Paso, TX?
The median salary for power plant operators in the El Paso, TX metro area is $97,670 a year, or $46.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in El Paso, TX?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the El Paso, TX metro area earn at least $107,520 a year. The top 25% earn $107,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in El Paso, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,210 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $97,610 or less.
How many power plant operators work in El Paso, TX?
About 80 power plant operators are employed in the El Paso, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.