Power Plant Operators Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $68,460 -31.3% vs national
Median hourly $32.92
10th percentile $50,320
90th percentile $79,740
Employed locally 30
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
Columbia, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,320
    25th
    $58,870
    50th (median)
    $68,460
    75th
    $69,530
    90th
    $79,740

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 99% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 1% below 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $118,520
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $113,540
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $111,260
    Kansas City, MO-KS $110,410
    Montgomery, AL $107,080
    Morgantown, WV $103,610

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $41,690
    Production Workers, All Other $46,230
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $72,530
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $51,000
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $32,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Columbia, MO is $32.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Columbia, MO is 31.3% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,320 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,870.