Power Plant Operator salary in Madison, WI
Power Plant Operators in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $73,300 a year ($35.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,930 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 11% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $66,080. There are 0.24 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| 25th percentile | $62,410 | $30.01 |
| Median | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| 75th percentile | $106,520 | $51.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,930 | $59.58 |
| Average (mean) | $82,020 | $39.44 |
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 | $6,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,054.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,819.23 |
| Weekly | $1,409.62 |
| Hourly | $35.24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,000 | 470 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $94,390 | 220 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $75,300 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $66,080 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $71,850 | $34.54 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,700 | $36.88 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Food Batchmaker | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Printing Press Operator | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Baker | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Machinist | $60,830 | $29.24 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,980 | $22.11 |
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Madison, WI metro area is $73,300 a year, or $35.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $123,930 a year. The top 25% earn $106,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,240 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $62,410 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Madison, WI?
About 100 power plant operators are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.