Power Plant Operator salary in Syracuse, NY
Power Plant Operators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $97,300 a year ($46.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,030 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 9% lower than the New York statewide median of $106,990. There are 0.98 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,580, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| 25th percentile | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Median | $97,300 | $46.78 |
| 75th percentile | $120,040 | $57.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,030 | $63.00 |
| Average (mean) | $93,580 | $44.99 |
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 | $8,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,054.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,742.31 |
| Weekly | $1,871.15 |
| Hourly | $46.78 |
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 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $86,280 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $80,820 | 40 |
| 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 Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,430 | $32.42 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,280 | $38.11 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| Machinist | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $57,060 | $27.44 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| Baker | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Printing Press Operator | $48,510 | $23.32 |
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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $97,300 a year, or $46.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $131,030 a year. The top 25% earn $120,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,840 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $66,560 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Syracuse, NY?
About 290 power plant operators are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.