Power Plant Operators Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $98,220 -1.5% vs national
Median hourly $47.22
10th percentile $49,620
90th percentile $122,760
Employed locally 80
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chattanooga, TN-GA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Power Plant Operators
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,620
    25th
    $61,600
    50th (median)
    $98,220
    75th
    $108,040
    90th
    $122,760

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 143% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 43% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Power Plant Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $156,260
    Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA $140,800
    Fresno, CA $136,640
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $136,300
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $133,460
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340

    Nearby metros — Power Plant Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $110,990
    Knoxville, TN $98,220
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $98,220

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,440
    Production Workers, All Other $41,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,030
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,440
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $44,920
    Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $50,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $47.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.90 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 1.5% below the national median of $99,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Power Plant Operators in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,620 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,600.