Power Plant Operator salary in Tennessee
Power Plant Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $115,920 a year ($55.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,690 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $102,040. Tennessee ranks 7th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.15 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $108,900, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| 25th percentile | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Median | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| 75th percentile | $124,360 | $59.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,690 | $60.43 |
| Average (mean) | $108,900 | $52.36 |
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 | $9,660 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,830 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,458.46 |
| Weekly | $2,229.23 |
| Hourly | $55.73 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $119,080 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $115,920 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $115,920 | 90 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $105,370 | 80 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,730 | $46.50 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Machinist | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for power plant operators in Tennessee is $115,920 a year, or $55.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Tennessee earn at least $125,690 a year. The top 25% earn $124,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,060 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $105,370 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Tennessee?
About 490 power plant operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.