Power Plant Operator Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$104,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#21 of 49
730 employed here

How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Ohio?

Power Plant Operators in Ohio take home a median of $104,160 annually — roughly $50.08 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $102,040.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $69,180 while the top 10% make $119,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,340 and $110,030 a year.

Power Plant Operator salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$69,180$33.26
25th percentile (early career)$79,340$38.14
50th percentile (median)$104,160$50.08
75th percentile (experienced)$110,030$52.90
90th percentile (top earners)$119,170$57.29

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 21st 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($104,160) 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 Ohio?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in Ohio is $104,160 per year, or about $50.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,180 at the entry level to $119,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Power Plant Operators about 2% more than the national median of $102,040. Ohio ranks 21st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — Ohio pays above the national median for this occupation, at $104,160 a year. About 730 Power Plant Operators are employed in Ohio. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.