Power Plant Operators Salary in Columbus, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, OH

Median annual salary $110,030 +10.4% vs national
Median hourly $52.90
10th percentile $75,660
90th percentile $120,270
Employed locally 130
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
Columbus, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $75,660
    25th
    $78,200
    50th (median)
    $110,030
    75th
    $111,720
    90th
    $120,270

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 138% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 38% 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
    Toledo, OH $107,440
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $102,950
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $100,300
    Ohio $97,810
    North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) $70,960
    Cleveland, OH $66,850

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $45,880
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $70,110
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $42,500
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,400
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $46,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Columbus, OH is $52.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.82 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Columbus, OH is 10.4% above 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $75,660 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,200.