Idaho Median
$124,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$59.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#4 of 49
310 employed here
How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Idaho?
A Power Plant Operator working in Idaho earns a median salary of $124,440 per year, or about $59.83 per hour. That is 22% above the national median of $102,040 for this occupation.
Within Idaho, entry-level pay starts around $68,960 while the top 10% make $137,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,590 and $130,070 a year.
Power Plant Operator salary range in Idaho
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,960 | $33.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $102,590 | $49.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,440 | $59.83 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $130,070 | $62.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,670 | $66.19 |
|
How Idaho compares
Idaho ranks 4th out of 49 states and territories for Power Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Power Plant Operator salary in other states
Washington $131,620Nevada $131,400New Jersey $131,370North Dakota $122,160Hawaii $121,700Tennessee $115,920Maryland $111,260Oregon $109,830North Carolina $108,300Georgia $107,580Utah $107,120Alabama $107,080Indiana $107,000New York $106,990Montana $106,040Michigan $105,820New Mexico $105,510California $105,210Illinois $104,440Ohio $104,160Delaware $103,010Colorado $102,780Texas $102,510Mississippi $102,400Missouri $101,900Louisiana $101,170Iowa $100,500Massachusetts $100,140Wyoming $99,200Nebraska $98,210Rhode Island $98,050Arkansas $97,760Connecticut $97,460West Virginia $97,210Pennsylvania $95,800Minnesota $94,390Florida $94,290Kentucky $93,400Alaska $88,870Oklahoma $88,590Arizona $84,970New Hampshire $81,070Maine $81,060Kansas $79,980South Carolina $79,900Vermont $78,240Virginia $73,640Wisconsin $66,080
Working as a Power Plant Operator in Idaho
Nationally, about 29,000 people work as Power Plant Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Idaho pay ($124,440) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Idaho?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in Idaho is $124,440 per year, or about $59.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,960 at the entry level to $137,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Idaho pay compare to the national average?
Idaho pays Power Plant Operators about 22% more than the national median of $102,040. Idaho ranks 4th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Idaho a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — Idaho pays above the national median for this occupation, at $124,440 a year. About 310 Power Plant Operators are employed in Idaho. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Idaho?
The highest-paying occupations in Idaho include Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($507,640), Anesthesiologist ($449,990), General Internal Medicine Physician ($355,390), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Power Plant Operator salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.