Power Plant Operator salary in Maine
Power Plant Operators in Maine earn a median of $81,060 a year ($38.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,910 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $102,040. Maine ranks 44th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.30 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| 25th percentile | $73,060 | $35.12 |
| Median | $81,060 | $38.97 |
| 75th percentile | $93,700 | $45.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,910 | $51.40 |
| Average (mean) | $83,380 | $40.09 |
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 | $6,755 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,377.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,117.69 |
| Weekly | $1,558.85 |
| Hourly | $38.97 |
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 Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $88,520 | 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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,870 | $29.74 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $121,520 | $58.42 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $65,150 | $31.32 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $93,990 | $45.19 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $53,570 | $25.76 |
| Machinist | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,220 | $29.92 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Baker | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $48,150 | $23.15 |
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 Maine?
The median salary for power plant operators in Maine is $81,060 a year, or $38.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Maine?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Maine earn at least $106,910 a year. The top 25% earn $93,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,220 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $73,060 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Maine?
About 190 power plant operators are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.