Power Plant Operators Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $133,460 +33.9% vs national
Median hourly $64.16
10th percentile $87,360
90th percentile $176,410
Employed locally 140
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

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

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Power Plant Operators
in
Seattle, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $87,360
    25th
    $106,330
    50th (median)
    $133,460
    75th
    $144,880
    90th
    $176,410

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Power Plant Operators salary vs area income 119% Median Power Plant Operators salary is 19% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $127,190

    Nearby metros — Power Plant Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA $140,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $136,300
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,340
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $127,190
    Washington $124,050
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $123,400

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $48,320
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $62,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $77,680
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $53,090
    Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers $94,910
    Machinists $73,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Seattle, WA is $64.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $87.70 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Seattle, WA is 33.9% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $87,360 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $106,330.