Power Plant Operator salary in Richmond, VA
Power Plant Operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $63,640 a year ($30.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,740 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 14% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $73,640. There are 0.10 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $67,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| 25th percentile | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| Median | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| 75th percentile | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,740 | $50.36 |
| Average (mean) | $67,130 | $32.28 |
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 | $5,303.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,651.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,447.69 |
| Weekly | $1,223.85 |
| Hourly | $30.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,320 | 240 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $66,500 | 110 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $77,930 | $37.47 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $102,220 | $49.14 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Baker | $31,500 | $15.14 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,220 | $18.37 |
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Richmond, VA metro area is $63,640 a year, or $30.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $104,740 a year. The top 25% earn $78,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,250 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $50,480 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Richmond, VA?
About 60 power plant operators are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.