Power Plant Operator salary in Oklahoma
Power Plant Operators in Oklahoma earn a median of $88,590 a year ($42.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,640 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $102,040. Oklahoma ranks 41st of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.31 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,480, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Oklahoma
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,390 | $26.63 |
| 25th percentile | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Median | $88,590 | $42.59 |
| 75th percentile | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,640 | $51.75 |
| Average (mean) | $85,480 | $41.10 |
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 | $7,382.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,691.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,407.31 |
| Weekly | $1,703.65 |
| Hourly | $42.59 |
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 Oklahoma
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $101,470 | 100 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $101,140 | 80 |
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 Oklahoma
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $95,140 | $45.74 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $68,450 | $32.91 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $74,240 | $35.69 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,720 | $23.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,000 | $33.66 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Machinist | $51,120 | $24.58 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,170 | $13.54 |
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 Oklahoma?
The median salary for power plant operators in Oklahoma is $88,590 a year, or $42.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Oklahoma?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Oklahoma earn at least $107,640 a year. The top 25% earn $101,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Oklahoma?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,390 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $66,850 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Oklahoma?
About 520 power plant operators are employed in Oklahoma, not counting the self-employed.