Power Plant Operator salary in Tulsa, OK
Power Plant Operators in the Tulsa, OK metro area earn a median of $101,470 a year ($48.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,890 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 15% higher than the Oklahoma statewide median of $88,590. There are 0.21 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $95,300, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Tulsa, OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| 25th percentile | $99,640 | $47.90 |
| Median | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| 75th percentile | $101,620 | $48.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,890 | $57.64 |
| Average (mean) | $95,300 | $45.82 |
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 | $8,455.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,227.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,902.69 |
| Weekly | $1,951.35 |
| Hourly | $48.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | $101,140 | 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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Oklahoma statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tulsa, OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $107,170 | $51.52 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $78,550 | $37.77 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $68,560 | $32.96 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $68,950 | $33.15 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,550 | $25.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,260 | $34.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $56,210 | $27.03 |
| Machinist | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,310 | $22.74 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
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 Tulsa, OK?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Tulsa, OK metro area is $101,470 a year, or $48.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Tulsa, OK?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Tulsa, OK metro area earn at least $119,890 a year. The top 25% earn $101,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Tulsa, OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,860 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $99,640 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Tulsa, OK?
About 100 power plant operators are employed in the Tulsa, OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.