Power Plant Operator salary in West Virginia
Power Plant Operators in West Virginia earn a median of $97,210 a year ($46.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,990 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $102,040. West Virginia ranks 35th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.24 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,210, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| 25th percentile | $88,730 | $42.66 |
| Median | $97,210 | $46.74 |
| 75th percentile | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,990 | $57.69 |
| Average (mean) | $93,210 | $44.81 |
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 | $8,100.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,050.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,738.85 |
| Weekly | $1,869.42 |
| Hourly | $46.74 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $100,300 | 30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,320 | 240 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $82,600 | $39.71 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,960 | $49.02 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,990 | $33.17 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,810 | $23.46 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Machinist | $47,350 | $22.77 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for power plant operators in West Virginia is $97,210 a year, or $46.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of power plant operators in West Virginia earn at least $119,990 a year. The top 25% earn $100,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,180 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $88,730 or less.
How many power plant operators work in West Virginia?
About 170 power plant operators are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.