Power Plant Operator salary in Massachusetts
Power Plant Operators in Massachusetts earn a median of $100,140 a year ($48.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,850 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $102,040. Massachusetts ranks 29th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. 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 $99,500, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,150 | $32.77 |
| 25th percentile | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Median | $100,140 | $48.14 |
| 75th percentile | $121,580 | $58.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Average (mean) | $99,500 | $47.84 |
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 | $8,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,172.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,851.54 |
| Weekly | $1,925.77 |
| Hourly | $48.14 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $103,900 | 640 |
| Worcester, MA | $101,420 | 70 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $97,320 | 80 |
| Springfield, MA | $94,860 | 30 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $83,710 | $40.25 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $121,010 | $58.18 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $103,830 | $49.92 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $120,660 | $58.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,920 | $38.42 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $52,270 | $25.13 |
| Machinist | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Baker | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Food Batchmaker | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,360 | $19.40 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for power plant operators in Massachusetts is $100,140 a year, or $48.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Massachusetts earn at least $130,850 a year. The top 25% earn $121,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,150 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $79,690 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Massachusetts?
About 880 power plant operators are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.