Power Plant Operator salary in New Jersey
Power Plant Operators in New Jersey earn a median of $131,370 a year ($63.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,940 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $102,040. New Jersey ranks 3rd of 49 states for power plant operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.07 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $120,430, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,510 | $40.15 |
| 25th percentile | $123,130 | $59.20 |
| Median | $131,370 | $63.16 |
| 75th percentile | $131,770 | $63.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,940 | $63.44 |
| Average (mean) | $120,430 | $57.90 |
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 | $10,947.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,473.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,052.69 |
| Weekly | $2,526.35 |
| Hourly | $63.16 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $131,770 | 1,090 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,350 | 310 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $104,540 | $50.26 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $86,820 | $41.74 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $128,220 | $61.65 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,970 | $33.64 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $110,900 | $53.32 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,280 | $19.37 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,500 | $27.17 |
| Baker | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,800 | $22.02 |
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for power plant operators in New Jersey is $131,370 a year, or $63.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of power plant operators in New Jersey earn at least $131,940 a year. The top 25% earn $131,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,510 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $123,130 or less.
How many power plant operators work in New Jersey?
About 300 power plant operators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.