Power Plant Operator salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Power Plant Operators in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $103,230 a year ($49.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,630 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $105,820. 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 $103,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,900 | $34.57 |
| 25th percentile | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| Median | $103,230 | $49.63 |
| 75th percentile | $127,660 | $61.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,630 | $62.32 |
| Average (mean) | $103,900 | $49.95 |
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 | $8,602.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,301.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,970.38 |
| Weekly | $1,985.19 |
| Hourly | $49.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $108,050 | 300 |
| Bay City, MI | $98,930 | 50 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,260 | $30.41 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,600 | $33.94 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Machinist | $59,850 | $28.78 |
| Baker | $34,180 | $16.43 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,200 | $23.18 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,410 | $19.91 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $38,420 | $18.47 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $103,230 a year, or $49.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $129,630 a year. The top 25% earn $127,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,900 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $102,780 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 80 power plant operators are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.