Power Plant Operators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $110,190 +10.6% vs national
Median hourly $52.97
10th percentile $55,450
90th percentile $138,470
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,450
    25th
    $62,660
    50th (median)
    $110,190
    75th
    $110,190
    90th
    $138,470

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 136% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 36% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $136,300
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $118,520
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $108,730
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $105,870
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $102,950
    Anchorage, AK $100,400

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $42,040
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $48,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $76,930
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,740
    Production Workers, All Other $48,460
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $31,490

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Durham, NC is $52.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.57 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Durham, NC is 10.6% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $55,450 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,660.