Power Plant Operator salary in Manhattan, KS
Power Plant Operators in the Manhattan, KS metro area earn a median of $98,840 a year ($47.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,950 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 24% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $79,980. There are 1.4 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,800, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Manhattan, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,920 | $26.40 |
| 25th percentile | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Median | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| 75th percentile | $116,950 | $56.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,950 | $56.23 |
| Average (mean) | $88,800 | $42.69 |
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 | $8,236.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,118.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,801.54 |
| Weekly | $1,900.77 |
| Hourly | $47.52 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $110,410 | 230 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,240 | 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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Manhattan, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,570 | $19.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Machinist | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Baker | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,290 | $18.89 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Printing Press Operator | $37,500 | $18.03 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Manhattan, KS
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 Manhattan, KS?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Manhattan, KS metro area is $98,840 a year, or $47.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Manhattan, KS?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Manhattan, KS metro area earn at least $116,950 a year. The top 25% earn $116,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Manhattan, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,920 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $56,960 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Manhattan, KS?
About 70 power plant operators are employed in the Manhattan, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.