Power Plant Operator salary in Kentucky
Power Plant Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $93,400 a year ($44.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,400 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $102,040. Kentucky ranks 39th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.34 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| 25th percentile | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| Median | $93,400 | $44.90 |
| 75th percentile | $105,690 | $50.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,400 | $56.92 |
| Average (mean) | $93,970 | $45.18 |
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 | $7,783.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,891.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,592.31 |
| Weekly | $1,796.15 |
| Hourly | $44.90 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,820 | 220 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $104,120 | 120 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $100,300 | 30 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $84,150 | 30 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,600 | $50.77 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,490 | $34.85 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Machinist | $58,660 | $28.20 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for power plant operators in Kentucky is $93,400 a year, or $44.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Kentucky earn at least $118,400 a year. The top 25% earn $105,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,830 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $84,900 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Kentucky?
About 690 power plant operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.