Power Plant Operator salary in Vermont
Power Plant Operators in Vermont earn a median of $78,240 a year ($37.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,790 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $102,040. Vermont ranks 47th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.45 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Vermont
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| 25th percentile | $58,140 | $27.95 |
| Median | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| 75th percentile | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,790 | $61.44 |
| Average (mean) | $85,450 | $41.08 |
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 | $6,520 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,260 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,009.23 |
| Weekly | $1,504.62 |
| Hourly | $37.62 |
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 Vermont
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $97,800 | 60 |
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 Vermont
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $68,400 | $32.89 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,980 | $21.14 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,540 | $36.32 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Baker | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $45,580 | $21.92 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,890 | $29.27 |
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 Vermont?
The median salary for power plant operators in Vermont is $78,240 a year, or $37.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Vermont?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Vermont earn at least $127,790 a year. The top 25% earn $105,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Vermont?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,110 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $58,140 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Vermont?
About 140 power plant operators are employed in Vermont, not counting the self-employed.