Power Plant Operator salary in Missouri
Power Plant Operators in Missouri earn a median of $101,900 a year ($48.99 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $60,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,430 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $102,040. Missouri ranks 26th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. The average (mean) salary is $93,560, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| 25th percentile | $74,920 | $36.02 |
| Median | $101,900 | $48.99 |
| 75th percentile | $110,420 | $53.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,430 | $61.75 |
| Average (mean) | $93,560 | $44.98 |
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 | $8,491.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,245.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,919.23 |
| Weekly | $1,959.62 |
| Hourly | $48.99 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $110,410 | 230 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $101,820 | n/a |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $51,560 | $24.79 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,620 | $34.91 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,450 | $50.70 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,420 | $26.17 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,950 | $24.98 |
| Machinist | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,470 | $18.50 |
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 Missouri?
The median salary for power plant operators in Missouri is $101,900 a year, or $48.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Missouri?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Missouri earn at least $128,430 a year. The top 25% earn $110,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,120 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $74,920 or less.