Power Plant Operators Salary in Western North Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $77,840 -21.9% vs national
Median hourly $37.42
10th percentile $44,810
90th percentile $116,840
Employed locally 70
National median $99,670

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Power Plant Operators
in
Western North Carolina
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,810
    25th
    $62,470
    50th (median)
    $77,840
    75th
    $108,040
    90th
    $116,840

    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 Western North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$39,940
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$63,600
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$38,940
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$42,640
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,800
    Machinists$54,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Power Plant Operators make per hour in Western North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Power Plant Operators in Western North Carolina is $37.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.18 or more per hour.

    Is Western North Carolina above or below average for Power Plant Operators salaries?

    The median Power Plant Operators salary in Western North Carolina is 21.9% 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 Western North Carolina?

    Entry-level Power Plant Operators (10th percentile) earn around $44,810 per year in Western North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,470.