Power Plant Operator salary in Reno, NV
Power Plant Operators in the Reno, NV metro area earn a median of $129,020 a year ($62.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,440 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% lower than the Nevada statewide median of $131,400. There are 0.22 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,840, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Reno, NV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,750 | $35.46 |
| 25th percentile | $92,040 | $44.25 |
| Median | $129,020 | $62.03 |
| 75th percentile | $131,400 | $63.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,440 | $69.92 |
| Average (mean) | $114,840 | $55.21 |
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 | $10,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,375.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,962.31 |
| Weekly | $2,481.15 |
| Hourly | $62.03 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $133,140 | 130 |
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 Nevada statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reno, NV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $92,870 | $44.65 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| Baker | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,600 | $23.85 |
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 Reno, NV?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Reno, NV metro area is $129,020 a year, or $62.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Reno, NV?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Reno, NV metro area earn at least $145,440 a year. The top 25% earn $131,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Reno, NV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,750 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $92,040 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Reno, NV?
About 60 power plant operators are employed in the Reno, NV metro area, not counting the self-employed.