Power Plant Operator salary in Georgia
Power Plant Operators in Georgia earn a median of $107,580 a year ($51.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,670 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $102,040. Georgia ranks 11th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.12 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $99,430, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| 25th percentile | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Median | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| 75th percentile | $119,380 | $57.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,670 | $59.94 |
| Average (mean) | $99,430 | $47.80 |
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 | $8,965 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,482.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,137.69 |
| Weekly | $2,068.85 |
| Hourly | $51.72 |
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 Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $119,380 | 260 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $115,920 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $113,540 | 90 |
| Savannah, GA | $59,010 | 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 |
Related jobs in Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $70,640 | $33.96 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $80,560 | $38.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,170 | $33.25 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,900 | $19.19 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,920 | $20.64 |
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 Georgia?
The median salary for power plant operators in Georgia is $107,580 a year, or $51.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Georgia?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Georgia earn at least $124,670 a year. The top 25% earn $119,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,660 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $75,420 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Georgia?
About 590 power plant operators are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.