Power Plant Operators earn a median of $102,040 per year ($49.06/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 5.1% through 2035, with about 2,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-8013
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Power Plant Operator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $102,040a year, or $49.06/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $62KTop 10% $132K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.1%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,30029,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202529.8K
- Projected 203528.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 29.8K Projected 2035 28.3K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school3.5%
- High school59.8%
- Certificate8.2%
- Some college1.7%
- Associate's14.3%
- Bachelor's12.5%
Highest education held by power plant operators Segment Value Less than high school 3.5% High school 59.8% Certificate 8.2% Some college 1.7% Associate's 14.3% Bachelor's 12.5%
Also advertised as: Auxiliary Operator, Control Operator, Control Room Operator, Multicraft Operator (MCO), Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech), Plant Control Operator.
Pay
How much do Power Plant Operators make?
Every power plant operator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$102,040
Middle half earn $79,690 to $119,080
- 10th
- $61,790
- 25th
- $79,690
- 75th
- $119,080
- 90th
- $131,940
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $61,790 |
| 25th | $79,690 |
| Median | $102,040 |
| 75th | $119,080 |
| 90th | $131,940 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $102,040
- Median hourly wage
- $49.06/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $99,790
- People employed
- 29,320
Versus all US occupations
At $102,040, Power Plant Operators earn 100% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $51,060 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 112% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $131,940 or more while the bottom 10% earn $61,790, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 75% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($131,620), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $137,322 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Power Plant Operators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $131,620 | $122,994 | 430 |
| 2Nevada | $131,400 | $131,428 | 250 |
| 3New Jersey | $131,370 | $120,739 | 300 |
| 4Idaho | $124,440 | $130,312 | 310 |
| 5North Dakota | $122,160 | $137,322 | 150 |
| 6Hawaii | $121,700 | $110,686 | 290 |
| 7Tennessee | $115,920 | $126,178 | 490 |
| 8Maryland | $111,260 | $106,003 | 330 |
| 9Oregon | $109,830 | $106,259 | 250 |
| 10North Carolina | $108,300 | $114,815 | 420 |
Job outlook
Is Power Plant Operator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operators | −5.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Power Plant Operators to change -5.1% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,300 openings are projected each year, 7.7% of the 29,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers varies by occupation (see table).
Although electricity use is expected to increase, technological advances and greater efficiency are expected to reduce employment in these occupations. In addition, projected declines in some forms of electricity generation will also likely reduce demand for some subsets of these workers.
Getting in
How to become a Power Plant Operator
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have experience. Once hired, power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically receive extensive on-the-job training.
Employers may require prospective operators to take an exam to test their aptitude for this work. This exam measures reading comprehension, understanding of mechanical concepts, spatial ability, and mathematical ability.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as power plant operators.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)59.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree14.3%
- Bachelor's Degree12.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate8.2%
- Less than a High School Diploma3.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 59.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 14.3% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 12.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.2% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 3.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Power Plant Operator do?
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
Day-to-day tasks
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
- Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Work on rotating shifts, which may involve day or night work schedules that alternate over a specified time, can be stressful because of the constant changes in living and sleeping patterns.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Speaking3.4
- Active Listening3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Writing3.0
- Active Learning2.9
- Learning Strategies2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Operation and Control3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Equipment Maintenance3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Facilities management software
- Industrial control software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Power Plant Operator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Power Plant Operator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.8
- Conventional5.1
- Investigative2.8
- Enterprising1.9
- Social1.3
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Power Plant Operator
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Production
- Production
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Production
- Production
Petroleum Pump System Operator, Refinery Operator, and Gauger
$96,710median a year
Most earn $57K to $116K
−1.9%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with power plant operators highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$60,020
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $60,020 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Power Plant Operator appears on
Questions
Power Plant Operator: frequently asked questions
How much do Power Plant Operators make?
Power Plant Operators earn a median of $102,040 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 100% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $49.06/hr. The middle half earn between $79,690 and $119,080. The top 10% earn $131,940 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Power Plant Operator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Power Plant Operators. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 59.8% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Power Plant Operator a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.1% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Power Plant Operator do?
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. A core O*NET task: start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Power Plant Operators the most?
The highest state medians for Power Plant Operators are Washington ($131,620), Nevada ($131,400), New Jersey ($131,370) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $137,322.
What personality type suits a Power Plant Operator?
O*NET scores Power Plant Operators highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.