Power Plant Operator salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Power Plant Operators in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $97,320 a year ($46.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,460 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 1% lower than the Rhode Island statewide median of $98,050. There are 0.12 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $96,680, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| 25th percentile | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Median | $97,320 | $46.79 |
| 75th percentile | $115,070 | $55.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,460 | $60.80 |
| Average (mean) | $96,680 | $46.48 |
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 | $8,110 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,055 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,743.08 |
| Weekly | $1,871.54 |
| Hourly | $46.79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $103,900 | 640 |
| Worcester, MA | $101,420 | 70 |
| Springfield, MA | $94,860 | 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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $66,550 | $31.99 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $132,530 | $63.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $52,800 | $25.39 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Machinist | $58,950 | $28.34 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,750 | $21.04 |
| Baker | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,540 | $22.38 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $97,320 a year, or $46.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $126,460 a year. The top 25% earn $115,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,260 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $76,500 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
About 80 power plant operators are employed in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.