Power Plant Operator salary in Minnesota
Power Plant Operators in Minnesota earn a median of $94,390 a year ($45.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,900 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $102,040. Minnesota ranks 37th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.33 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| 25th percentile | $81,420 | $39.14 |
| Median | $94,390 | $45.38 |
| 75th percentile | $99,120 | $47.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,900 | $60.53 |
| Average (mean) | $95,700 | $46.01 |
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 | $7,865.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,932.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,630.38 |
| Weekly | $1,815.19 |
| Hourly | $45.38 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,000 | 470 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $94,390 | 220 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $101,910 | $49.00 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $88,290 | $42.45 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,630 | $50.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,550 | $37.76 |
| Machinist | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,940 | $20.64 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,960 | $19.69 |
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for power plant operators in Minnesota is $94,390 a year, or $45.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Minnesota earn at least $125,900 a year. The top 25% earn $99,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,540 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $81,420 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Minnesota?
About 970 power plant operators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.