Power Plant Operator salary in Indiana
Power Plant Operators in Indiana earn a median of $107,000 a year ($51.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,540 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $102,040. Indiana ranks 14th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.37 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $103,120, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| 25th percentile | $103,030 | $49.53 |
| Median | $107,000 | $51.44 |
| 75th percentile | $109,090 | $52.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,540 | $59.40 |
| Average (mean) | $103,120 | $49.58 |
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 | $8,916.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,458.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,115.38 |
| Weekly | $2,057.69 |
| Hourly | $51.44 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $123,540 | 640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,820 | 220 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $109,090 | 100 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $104,120 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $103,030 | 80 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $67,420 | $32.41 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $85,790 | $41.24 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $70,490 | $33.89 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $129,080 | $62.06 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,950 | $35.55 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Machinist | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,600 | $21.44 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,590 | $23.36 |
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 Indiana?
The median salary for power plant operators in Indiana is $107,000 a year, or $51.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Indiana?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Indiana earn at least $123,540 a year. The top 25% earn $109,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,700 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $103,030 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Indiana?
About 1,190 power plant operators are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.