Power Plant Operator salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Power Plant Operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $93,870 a year ($45.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,890 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $95,800. There are 0.13 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $94,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| 25th percentile | $83,210 | $40.01 |
| Median | $93,870 | $45.13 |
| 75th percentile | $115,430 | $55.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,890 | $57.16 |
| Average (mean) | $94,570 | $45.47 |
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 | $7,822.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,911.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,610.38 |
| Weekly | $1,805.19 |
| Hourly | $45.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,350 | 310 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $65,480 | $31.48 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $73,090 | $35.14 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $72,190 | $34.71 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,610 | $25.78 |
| Machinist | $55,880 | $26.86 |
| Baker | $35,340 | $16.99 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $93,870 a year, or $45.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $118,890 a year. The top 25% earn $115,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,660 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $83,210 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 140 power plant operators are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.