Power Plant Operator salary in Ohio
Power Plant Operators in Ohio earn a median of $104,160 a year ($50.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,170 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $102,040. Ohio ranks 21st of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.13 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $98,700, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| 25th percentile | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| Median | $104,160 | $50.08 |
| 75th percentile | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,170 | $57.29 |
| Average (mean) | $98,700 | $47.45 |
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 | $8,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,340 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,006.15 |
| Weekly | $2,003.08 |
| Hourly | $50.08 |
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 Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $110,030 | 130 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,820 | 220 |
| Toledo, OH | $107,440 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $100,300 | 30 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $105,150 | $50.55 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,470 | $36.29 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $82,130 | $39.49 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $100,320 | $48.23 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,160 | $23.63 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| Machinist | $57,940 | $27.86 |
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 Ohio?
The median salary for power plant operators in Ohio is $104,160 a year, or $50.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Ohio?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Ohio earn at least $119,170 a year. The top 25% earn $110,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,180 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $79,340 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Ohio?
About 730 power plant operators are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.