Power Plant Operators
SOC code 51-8013 · O*NET-SOC 51-8013.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Power Plant Operators pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$102,040
a year
Hourly
$49.06
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$99,790
$47.97 per hour
Middle 50%
$79,690 – $119,080
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$61,790 – $131,940
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
29,320
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $61,790
- $29.71/hr
- 25th percentile
- $79,690
- $38.31/hr
- Median percentile
- $102,040
- $49.06/hr
- 75th percentile
- $119,080
- $57.25/hr
- 90th percentile
- $131,940
- $63.44/hr
What does a power plant operator do?
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
How to become a power plant operator
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 60% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)60%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree14%
- Bachelor's Degree13%
- Post-Secondary Certificate8%
Common questions
How much does a power plant operator earn?
The national median is $102,040 a year. The full range runs from $61,790 at the 10th percentile to $131,940 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a power plant operator without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Chemistry3.2/5
- Physics3.1/5
- Engineering and Technology3.0/5
- Design2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making.