Power Plant Operator salary in North Dakota
Power Plant Operators in North Dakota earn a median of $122,160 a year ($58.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,280 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $102,040. North Dakota ranks 5th of 49 states for power plant operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.36 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $116,410, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| 25th percentile | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Median | $122,160 | $58.73 |
| 75th percentile | $122,160 | $58.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,280 | $64.56 |
| Average (mean) | $116,410 | $55.97 |
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 | $10,180 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,090 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,698.46 |
| Weekly | $2,349.23 |
| Hourly | $58.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $93,130 | $44.77 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,250 | $22.71 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Baker | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Machinist | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
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 Dakota?
The median salary for power plant operators in North Dakota is $122,160 a year, or $58.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of power plant operators in North Dakota earn at least $134,280 a year. The top 25% earn $122,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,300 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $115,210 or less.
How many power plant operators work in North Dakota?
About 150 power plant operators are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.