Power Plant Operator salary in Oregon
Power Plant Operators in Oregon earn a median of $109,830 a year ($52.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,110 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $102,040. Oregon ranks 9th 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 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $113,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,740 | $36.89 |
| 25th percentile | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Median | $109,830 | $52.80 |
| 75th percentile | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,110 | $69.76 |
| Average (mean) | $113,120 | $54.38 |
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 | $9,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,224.23 |
| Weekly | $2,112.12 |
| Hourly | $52.80 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $137,030 | n/a |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $137,490 | $66.10 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,630 | $32.51 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $71,900 | $34.57 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,580 | $35.38 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,120 | $26.02 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Baker | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,640 | $22.90 |
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 Oregon?
The median salary for power plant operators in Oregon is $109,830 a year, or $52.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Oregon?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Oregon earn at least $145,110 a year. The top 25% earn $129,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,740 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $99,070 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Oregon?
About 250 power plant operators are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.