Power Plant Operator salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Power Plant Operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $106,520 a year ($51.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 8% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $98,210. There are 0.16 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,160 | $46.71 |
| 25th percentile | $97,160 | $46.71 |
| Median | $106,520 | $51.21 |
| 75th percentile | $106,520 | $51.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,570 | $60.37 |
| Average (mean) | $106,740 | $51.32 |
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 | $8,876.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,438.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,096.92 |
| Weekly | $2,048.46 |
| Hourly | $51.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $104,920 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $100,700 | n/a |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $76,550 | 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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $91,320 | $43.90 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $71,560 | $34.41 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $98,570 | $47.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,110 | $33.71 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,950 | $21.13 |
| Printing Press Operator | $42,070 | $20.23 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $46,390 | $22.30 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,110 | $25.53 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $41,700 | $20.05 |
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $106,520 a year, or $51.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $125,570 a year. The top 25% earn $106,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,160 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $97,160 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 80 power plant operators are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.