Power Plant Operators Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $136,300 +36.8% vs national
Median hourly $65.53
10th percentile $89,280
90th percentile $146,390
Employed locally 60
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

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Power Plant Operators
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $89,280
    25th
    $101,590
    50th (median)
    $136,300
    75th
    $139,670
    90th
    $146,390

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 144% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 44% 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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $133,460
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $127,190

    Nearby metros — Power Plant Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340
    Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area $125,580
    New York $121,760
    Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area $120,790
    Oregon $114,500
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $111,260

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Semiconductor Processing Technicians $61,410
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $46,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $73,960
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $57,050
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $60,940
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $43,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Portland, OR-WA is $65.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Portland, OR-WA is 36.8% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $89,280 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $101,590.