Power Plant Operators Salary in Richmond, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Richmond, VA

Median annual salary $63,640 -36.1% vs national
Median hourly $30.60
10th percentile $43,250
90th percentile $104,740
Employed locally 60
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,250
    25th
    $50,480
    50th (median)
    $63,640
    75th
    $78,340
    90th
    $104,740

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 75% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 25% below 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
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $108,460
    Nevada $106,990
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $105,870
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $105,520
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $92,530

    Related occupations in Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $73,480
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,630
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,180
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $56,670
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $30,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Richmond, VA is $30.60, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.36 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Richmond, VA is 36.1% below 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $43,250 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,480.