Power Plant Operator salary in Idaho
Power Plant Operators in Idaho earn a median of $124,440 a year ($59.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,670 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $102,040. Idaho ranks 4th of 49 states for power plant operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.36 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $112,490, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,960 | $33.15 |
| 25th percentile | $102,590 | $49.32 |
| Median | $124,440 | $59.83 |
| 75th percentile | $130,070 | $62.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,670 | $66.19 |
| Average (mean) | $112,490 | $54.08 |
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 | $10,370 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,185 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,786.15 |
| Weekly | $2,393.08 |
| Hourly | $59.83 |
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 Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | $134,050 | 70 |
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 Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $82,980 | $39.90 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $136,550 | $65.65 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,210 | $21.26 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,530 | $24.30 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Baker | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $38,030 | $18.28 |
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 Idaho?
The median salary for power plant operators in Idaho is $124,440 a year, or $59.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Idaho?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Idaho earn at least $137,670 a year. The top 25% earn $130,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,960 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $102,590 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Idaho?
About 310 power plant operators are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.