SOC 51-8013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Power Plant Operators — Lakeland
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · 7 metro areas compared
At $106,540, median pay for Power Plant Operators in Lakeland, FL tracks the national median of $102,040 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $106,540, median pay for Power Plant Operators in Lakeland, FL tracks the national median of $102,040 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $89,950 and $130,840. The lowest tenth earn under $83,950, while the highest tenth earn more than $135,080.
Employment stands at 100, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Jacksonville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $119,550. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 28th of 429 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $83,950 | −17.7% |
| 25th | $89,950 | −11.8% |
| Median (50th) | $106,540 | +4.4% |
| 75th | $130,840 | +28.2% |
| 90th | $135,080 | +32.4% |
| Mean | $108,370 | +6.2% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville | $119,550 | 90 | |
| 2 | Port St. Lucie | $109,090 | 50 | |
| 3 | Tampa | $105,740 | 170 | |
| 4 | Orlando | $84,690 | 290 | |
| 5 | Gainesville | $78,890 | 50 | |
| 6 | Pensacola | $71,070 | 30 | |
| 7 | Miami | $62,080 | 380 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lakeland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $106,540 buys what $103,037 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$106,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$103,037US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $106,540 a year, 4.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $83,950 to $135,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Jacksonville, at $119,550.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Power Plant Operators in Lakeland, FL?
The median annual wage is $106,540, or $51.22 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $102,040, so pay in Lakeland, FL is 4.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lakeland, FL earns more than $135,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $83,950 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Jacksonville, at $119,550 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Lakeland, FL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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