Power Plant Operators Salary in Southwestern Pennsylvania

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $87,650 -12.1% vs national
Median hourly $42.14
10th percentile $48,900
90th percentile $115,580
Employed locally 100
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
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Southwestern Pennsylvania
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,900
    25th
    $80,190
    50th (median)
    $87,650
    75th
    $92,110
    90th
    $115,580

    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

    Related occupations in Southwestern Pennsylvania

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,140
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,030
    Machinists $55,150
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $66,740
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $40,830
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $48,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in Southwestern Pennsylvania?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Southwestern Pennsylvania is $42.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.57 or more per hour.

    Is Southwestern Pennsylvania above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Southwestern Pennsylvania is 12.1% 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,900 per year in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,190.