Power Plant Operators Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $107,790 +8.1% vs national
Median hourly $51.82
10th percentile $76,850
90th percentile $118,790
Employed locally 360
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Detroit, MI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Power Plant Operators
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,850
    25th
    $88,480
    50th (median)
    $107,790
    75th
    $108,650
    90th
    $118,790

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 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
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $118,490
    Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $109,480
    Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area $107,110
    Ann Arbor, MI $106,220
    Wyoming $105,330
    Michigan $103,880

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47,840
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44,410
    Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$73,210
    Machinists$57,240
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$50,150

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Detroit, MI is $51.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.60 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Detroit, MI is 8.1% 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 Detroit?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $76,850 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $88,480.