Power Plant Operator salary in Nevada
Power Plant Operators in Nevada earn a median of $131,400 a year ($63.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,600 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $102,040. Nevada ranks 2nd of 49 states for power plant operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.16 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $115,780, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Nevada
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,760 | $34.50 |
| 25th percentile | $94,270 | $45.32 |
| Median | $131,400 | $63.17 |
| 75th percentile | $133,370 | $64.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,600 | $68.08 |
| Average (mean) | $115,780 | $55.66 |
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 | $10,950 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,475 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,053.85 |
| Weekly | $2,526.92 |
| Hourly | $63.17 |
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 Nevada
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $133,140 | 130 |
| Reno, NV | $129,020 | 60 |
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 Nevada
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $138,300 | $66.49 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $81,440 | $39.15 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,270 | $32.82 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Baker | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $40,290 | $19.37 |
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 Nevada?
The median salary for power plant operators in Nevada is $131,400 a year, or $63.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Nevada?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Nevada earn at least $141,600 a year. The top 25% earn $133,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Nevada?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,760 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $94,270 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Nevada?
About 250 power plant operators are employed in Nevada, not counting the self-employed.