Power Plant Operator salary in North Carolina
Power Plant Operators in North Carolina earn a median of $108,300 a year ($52.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $102,040. North Carolina ranks 10th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.08 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $100,460, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| 25th percentile | $80,240 | $38.58 |
| Median | $108,300 | $52.07 |
| 75th percentile | $118,600 | $57.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Average (mean) | $100,460 | $48.30 |
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 | $9,025 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,512.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,165.38 |
| Weekly | $2,082.69 |
| Hourly | $52.07 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,030 | 120 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $102,240 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $66,500 | 110 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $51,680 | $24.85 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $81,460 | $39.16 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $90,420 | $43.47 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $39,170 | $18.83 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for power plant operators in North Carolina is $108,300 a year, or $52.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of power plant operators in North Carolina earn at least $132,040 a year. The top 25% earn $118,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,580 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $80,240 or less.
How many power plant operators work in North Carolina?
About 420 power plant operators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.