Power Plant Operator salary in Rochester, NY
Power Plant Operators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $80,820 a year ($38.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,150 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 24% lower than the New York statewide median of $106,990. There are 0.07 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $85,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| 25th percentile | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Median | $80,820 | $38.86 |
| 75th percentile | $101,960 | $49.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,150 | $54.40 |
| Average (mean) | $85,960 | $41.33 |
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 | $6,735 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,367.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,108.46 |
| Weekly | $1,554.23 |
| Hourly | $38.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $131,770 | 1,090 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $103,300 | 150 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $99,020 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $97,300 | 290 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $86,280 | 80 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $75,140 | 50 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $64,580 | 40 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $62,950 | $30.27 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $71,490 | $34.37 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,090 | $20.71 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Machinist | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| Food Batchmaker | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Baker | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Printing Press Operator | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,130 | $27.47 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Rochester, NY metro area is $80,820 a year, or $38.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $113,150 a year. The top 25% earn $101,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,350 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $62,350 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Rochester, NY?
About 40 power plant operators are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.