Washington Median
$131,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$63.28
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+29% vs US median
US median $102,040
State Rank
#1 of 49
430 employed here
How much does a Power Plant Operator make in Washington?
A Power Plant Operator working in Washington earns a median salary of $131,620 per year, or about $63.28 per hour. That is 29% above the national median of $102,040 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $85,390 while the top 10% make $168,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $102,440 and $152,110 a year.
Power Plant Operator salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,390 | $41.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $102,440 | $49.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $131,620 | $63.28 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $152,110 | $73.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,610 | $81.06 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories for Power Plant Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Power Plant Operator salary in other states
Nevada $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 $95,800Minnesota $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($131,620) 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 Washington?
The median Power Plant Operator salary in Washington is $131,620 per year, or about $63.28 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $85,390 at the entry level to $168,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Power Plant Operators about 29% more than the national median of $102,040. Washington ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Power Plant Operators?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $131,620 a year. About 430 Power Plant Operators are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.