SOC 51-8013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Power Plant Operators — South Central Wisconsin
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Power Plant Operators in South Central Wisconsin, WI is $59,240 per year, substantially below the national median of $102,040 — a gap of 41.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Power Plant Operators in South Central Wisconsin, WI is $59,240 per year, substantially below the national median of $102,040 — a gap of 41.9%. Pay ranges from under $52,180 at the tenth percentile to more than $90,580 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $56,350 to $63,420.
Employment stands at 50, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Milwaukee leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $75,300. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 192nd of 421 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,180 | −48.9% |
| 25th | $56,350 | −44.8% |
| Median (50th) | $59,240 | −41.9% |
| 75th | $63,420 | −37.8% |
| 90th | $90,580 | −11.2% |
| Mean | $63,460 | −37.8% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $59,240 goes as far as $62,954 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 38.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,240as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,954US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,240 a year, 41.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,180 to $90,580 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Milwaukee, at $75,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Power Plant Operators in South Central Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $59,240, or $28.48 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 South Central Wisconsin, WI is 41.9% lower. 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 South Central Wisconsin, WI earns more than $90,580 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,180 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 Milwaukee, at $75,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in South Central Wisconsin, WI. 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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