Power Plant Operator salary in New York
Power Plant Operators in New York earn a median of $106,990 a year ($51.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,310 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $102,040. New York ranks 15th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.20 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $108,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| 25th percentile | $83,060 | $39.93 |
| Median | $106,990 | $51.44 |
| 75th percentile | $133,620 | $64.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,310 | $68.42 |
| Average (mean) | $108,880 | $52.34 |
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 | $8,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,457.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,115 |
| Weekly | $2,057.50 |
| Hourly | $51.44 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $131,770 | 1,090 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $103,300 | 150 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $99,020 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $97,300 | 290 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $86,280 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $80,820 | 40 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $75,140 | 50 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $64,580 | 40 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,990 | $30.76 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,390 | $47.31 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $129,580 | $62.30 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $139,390 | $67.02 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Baker | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,050 | $16.85 |
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 York?
The median salary for power plant operators in New York is $106,990 a year, or $51.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in New York?
The top 10% of power plant operators in New York earn at least $142,310 a year. The top 25% earn $133,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,580 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $83,060 or less.
How many power plant operators work in New York?
About 1,960 power plant operators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.