Power Plant Operator salary in Virginia
Power Plant Operators in Virginia earn a median of $73,640 a year ($35.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,770 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $102,040. Virginia ranks 48th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.14 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $74,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| 25th percentile | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Median | $73,640 | $35.41 |
| 75th percentile | $94,180 | $45.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| Average (mean) | $74,290 | $35.72 |
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 | $6,136.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,068.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,832.31 |
| Weekly | $1,416.15 |
| Hourly | $35.41 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,320 | 240 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $66,500 | 110 |
| Richmond, VA | $63,640 | 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $86,500 | $41.59 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Baker | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Machinist | $61,290 | $29.47 |
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 Virginia?
The median salary for power plant operators in Virginia is $73,640 a year, or $35.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Virginia earn at least $102,770 a year. The top 25% earn $94,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,190 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $59,260 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Virginia?
About 590 power plant operators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.