Power Plant Operator salary in Rhode Island
Power Plant Operators in Rhode Island earn a median of $98,050 a year ($47.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,120 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,040. Rhode Island ranks 32nd of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.10 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $102,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| 25th percentile | $86,150 | $41.42 |
| Median | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| 75th percentile | $121,200 | $58.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Average (mean) | $102,280 | $49.17 |
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 | $8,170.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,085.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,771.15 |
| Weekly | $1,885.58 |
| Hourly | $47.14 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $97,320 | 80 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,590 | $19.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $81,650 | $39.25 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,940 | $26.41 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Machinist | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Baker | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $48,800 | $23.46 |
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for power plant operators in Rhode Island is $98,050 a year, or $47.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Rhode Island earn at least $134,120 a year. The top 25% earn $121,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,570 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $86,150 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Rhode Island?
About 50 power plant operators are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.