Power Plant Operator Salary in Louisiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Power Plant Operators in Louisiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$101,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#27 of 49
370 employed here

How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Louisiana?

Power Plant Operators in Louisiana take home a median of $101,170 annually — roughly $48.64 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $102,040.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $62,410 while the top 10% make $123,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,610 and $112,840 a year.

Power Plant Operator salary range in Louisiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,410$30.00
25th percentile (early career)$85,610$41.16
50th percentile (median)$101,170$48.64
75th percentile (experienced)$112,840$54.25
90th percentile (top earners)$123,910$59.57

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 27th out of 49 states and territories for Power Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$131,620
2Nevada$131,400
3New Jersey$131,370
4Idaho$124,440
5North Dakota$122,160

Working as a Power Plant Operator in Louisiana

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 Louisiana pay ($101,170) 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 Louisiana?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in Louisiana is $101,170 per year, or about $48.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,410 at the entry level to $123,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Power Plant Operators about 1% less than the national median of $102,040. Louisiana ranks 27th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $101,170 a year. About 370 Power Plant Operators are employed in Louisiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Louisiana include Pediatrician, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologist ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550), 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.