Power Plant Operator salary in South Carolina
Power Plant Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $79,900 a year ($38.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,200 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $102,040. South Carolina ranks 46th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.29 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| 25th percentile | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Median | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| 75th percentile | $94,320 | $45.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| Average (mean) | $80,990 | $38.94 |
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 | $6,658.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,329.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,073.08 |
| Weekly | $1,536.54 |
| Hourly | $38.41 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,030 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $113,540 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $81,580 | 60 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,900 | 150 |
| Columbia, SC | $79,600 | 150 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $52,090 | $25.05 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $118,620 | $57.03 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $91,570 | $44.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for power plant operators in South Carolina is $79,900 a year, or $38.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of power plant operators in South Carolina earn at least $100,200 a year. The top 25% earn $94,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,880 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $67,640 or less.
How many power plant operators work in South Carolina?
About 680 power plant operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.