Power Plant Operators Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $92,530 -7.2% vs national
Median hourly $44.48
10th percentile $75,660
90th percentile $127,210
Employed locally 310
National median $99,670

Compare Power Plant Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Power Plant Operators
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $75,660
    25th
    $78,520
    50th (median)
    $92,530
    75th
    $102,640
    90th
    $127,210

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Bakers $37,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $76,750
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,650
    Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $35,420
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $60,040
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $57,220

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $44.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.10 or more per hour.

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

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 7.2% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $75,660 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,520.