Tennessee Median
$115,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$55.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#7 of 49
490 employed here
How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Tennessee?
A Power Plant Operator working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $115,920 per year, or about $55.73 per hour. That is 14% above the national median of $102,040 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $68,060 while the top 10% make $125,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,370 and $124,360 a year.
Power Plant Operator salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,060 | $32.72 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $105,370 | $50.66 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $115,920 | $55.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $124,360 | $59.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,690 | $60.43 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 7th 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 $121,700Maryland $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($115,920) 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 Tennessee?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in Tennessee is $115,920 per year, or about $55.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,060 at the entry level to $125,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Power Plant Operators about 14% more than the national median of $102,040. Tennessee ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $115,920 a year. About 490 Power Plant Operators are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.