Power Plant Operator salary in Maryland
Power Plant Operators in Maryland earn a median of $111,260 a year ($53.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,030 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $102,040. Maryland ranks 8th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.12 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $107,840, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| 25th percentile | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Median | $111,260 | $53.49 |
| 75th percentile | $111,260 | $53.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,030 | $58.67 |
| Average (mean) | $107,840 | $51.85 |
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 | $9,271.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,635.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,279.23 |
| Weekly | $2,139.62 |
| Hourly | $53.49 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $111,260 | 230 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,350 | 310 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,320 | 240 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $81,890 | $39.37 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $113,660 | $54.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,670 | $21.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,310 | $29.00 |
| Baker | $37,040 | $17.81 |
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 Maryland?
The median salary for power plant operators in Maryland is $111,260 a year, or $53.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Maryland?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Maryland earn at least $122,030 a year. The top 25% earn $111,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,120 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $101,260 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Maryland?
About 330 power plant operators are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.