Minnesota Median
$94,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#37 of 49
970 employed here
How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Minnesota?
A Power Plant Operator working in Minnesota earns a median salary of $94,390 per year, or about $45.38 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $102,040 for this occupation.
Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $72,540 while the top 10% make $125,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $81,420 and $99,120 a year.
Power Plant Operator salary range in Minnesota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,540 | $34.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $81,420 | $39.14 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $94,390 | $45.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $99,120 | $47.65 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,900 | $60.53 |
|
How Minnesota compares
Minnesota ranks 37th 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 $131,370Idaho $124,440North 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 $95,800Florida $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 Minnesota
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 Minnesota pay ($94,390) 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 Minnesota?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in Minnesota is $94,390 per year, or about $45.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $72,540 at the entry level to $125,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Power Plant Operators about 7% less than the national median of $102,040. Minnesota ranks 37th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $94,390 a year. About 970 Power Plant Operators are employed in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Power Plant Operator salary report
Related salaries
$78,620
median pay · 28,000 employed
$65,380
median pay · 34,000 employed
$68,120
median pay · 29,000 employed
$62,470
median pay · 14,000 employed
$122,890
median pay · 5,000 employed
$87,820
median pay · 18,000 employed
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.