Power Plant Operator salary in Kansas
Power Plant Operators in Kansas earn a median of $79,980 a year ($38.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,990 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $102,040. Kansas ranks 45th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. 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 $85,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| 25th percentile | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Median | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| 75th percentile | $113,560 | $54.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| Average (mean) | $85,850 | $41.27 |
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 | $6,665 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,332.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,076.15 |
| Weekly | $1,538.08 |
| Hourly | $38.45 |
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 Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $110,410 | 230 |
| Manhattan, KS | $98,840 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,240 | 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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $101,880 | $48.98 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $80,760 | $38.83 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,490 | $31.00 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $116,810 | $56.16 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $59,850 | $28.77 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $53,680 | $25.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| Machinist | $51,220 | $24.63 |
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 Kansas?
The median salary for power plant operators in Kansas is $79,980 a year, or $38.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Kansas?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Kansas earn at least $129,990 a year. The top 25% earn $113,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,580 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $56,800 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Kansas?
About 520 power plant operators are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.