Power Plant Operator salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Power Plant Operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $101,820 a year ($48.95 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $64,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,760 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Missouri statewide median of $101,900. The average (mean) salary is $98,480, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,680 | $31.10 |
| 25th percentile | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Median | $101,820 | $48.95 |
| 75th percentile | $114,150 | $54.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,760 | $57.58 |
| Average (mean) | $98,480 | $47.35 |
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 | $8,485 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,242.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,916.15 |
| Weekly | $1,958.08 |
| Hourly | $48.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $123,540 | 640 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $110,410 | 230 |
| Springfield, IL | $102,130 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,210 | $36.16 |
| Machinist | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,790 | $24.90 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,640 | $24.83 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $40,190 | $19.32 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for power plant operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $101,820 a year, or $48.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $119,760 a year. The top 25% earn $114,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,680 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $83,010 or less.