Power Plant Operator salary in Pennsylvania
Power Plant Operators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $95,800 a year ($46.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,180 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pennsylvania ranks 36th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.17 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| 25th percentile | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Median | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| 75th percentile | $112,240 | $53.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,180 | $61.62 |
| Average (mean) | $96,280 | $46.29 |
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 | $7,983.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,991.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,684.62 |
| Weekly | $1,842.31 |
| Hourly | $46.06 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,350 | 310 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $93,870 | 140 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $83,870 | $40.32 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $70,110 | $33.71 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Machinist | $57,810 | $27.79 |
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for power plant operators in Pennsylvania is $95,800 a year, or $46.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Pennsylvania earn at least $128,180 a year. The top 25% earn $112,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,010 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $81,390 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,010 power plant operators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.