Power Plant Operators Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $99,800 +0.1% vs national
Median hourly $47.98
10th percentile $89,140
90th percentile $120,640
Employed locally 180
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how New Orleans, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Power Plant Operators
in
New Orleans, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $89,140
    25th
    $95,160
    50th (median)
    $99,800
    75th
    $108,620
    90th
    $120,640

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 160% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 60% 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
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $120,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $118,520
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $112,680
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $108,000
    Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area $107,280

    Related occupations in New Orleans, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76,010
    Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$105,860
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$60,590
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$60,480
    Production Workers, All Other$44,560
    Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$78,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in New Orleans?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in New Orleans, LA is $47.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.83 or more per hour.

    Is New Orleans above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in New Orleans, LA is 0.1% 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $89,140 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $95,160.