Power Plant Operator salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Power Plant Operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $67,580 a year ($32.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,640 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 20% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $84,970. There are 0.06 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $78,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| 25th percentile | $65,880 | $31.68 |
| Median | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| 75th percentile | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,640 | $51.75 |
| Average (mean) | $78,110 | $37.55 |
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 | $5,631.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,815.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,599.23 |
| Weekly | $1,299.62 |
| Hourly | $32.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $70,220 | $33.76 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $68,850 | $33.10 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $83,350 | $40.07 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $56,540 | $27.18 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Machinist | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| Baker | $37,800 | $18.17 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $67,580 a year, or $32.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $107,640 a year. The top 25% earn $82,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,910 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $65,880 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 150 power plant operators are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.