Power Plant Operator salary in Wisconsin
Power Plant Operators in Wisconsin earn a median of $66,080 a year ($31.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,270 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $102,040. Wisconsin ranks 49th 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 $77,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,960 | $26.42 |
| 25th percentile | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Median | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| 75th percentile | $90,820 | $43.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,270 | $56.86 |
| Average (mean) | $77,010 | $37.02 |
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 | $5,506.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,753.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,541.54 |
| Weekly | $1,270.77 |
| Hourly | $31.77 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,000 | 470 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $94,390 | 220 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $75,300 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | $73,300 | 100 |
| Green Bay, WI | $66,080 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,550 | $30.56 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $85,080 | $40.91 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $83,140 | $39.97 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $71,450 | $34.35 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Food Batchmaker | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,410 | $28.08 |
| Machinist | $59,110 | $28.42 |
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for power plant operators in Wisconsin is $66,080 a year, or $31.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Wisconsin earn at least $118,270 a year. The top 25% earn $90,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,960 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $59,240 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Wisconsin?
About 420 power plant operators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.