Power Plant Operator salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Power Plant Operators in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $106,540 a year ($51.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,080 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 13% higher than the Florida statewide median of $94,290. There are 0.39 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,950 | $40.36 |
| 25th percentile | $89,950 | $43.25 |
| Median | $106,540 | $51.22 |
| 75th percentile | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,080 | $64.94 |
| Average (mean) | $108,370 | $52.10 |
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 | $8,878.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,439.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,097.69 |
| Weekly | $2,048.85 |
| Hourly | $51.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, FL | $119,550 | 90 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $109,090 | 50 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $105,740 | 170 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $84,690 | 290 |
| Gainesville, FL | $78,890 | 50 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $71,070 | 30 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $62,080 | 380 |
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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Food Batchmaker | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| Machinist | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| Baker | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,190 | $17.88 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $106,540 a year, or $51.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $135,080 a year. The top 25% earn $130,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,950 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $89,950 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 100 power plant operators are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.