SOC 51-8013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Power Plant Operators — Washington
Washington · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Power Plant Operators in Washington is $131,620 per year, well above the national median of $102,040.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Power Plant Operators in Washington is $131,620 per year, well above the national median of $102,040. The gap of 29.0% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $102,440 and $152,110. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $85,390 and the ninetieth at $168,610.
Employment stands at 430, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Washington ranks number 1st out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Wenatchee records the highest median at $145,510. Of the 757 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 78th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $85,390 | −16.3% |
| 25th | $102,440 | +0.4% |
| Median (50th) | $131,620 | +29.0% |
| 75th | $152,110 | +49.1% |
| 90th | $168,610 | +65.2% |
| Mean | $128,230 | +25.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Washington
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $131,620 buys what $123,009 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 20.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$131,620as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$123,009US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $131,620 a year, 29.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $85,390 to $168,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 430 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 1st of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wenatchee, at $145,510.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Power Plant Operators in Washington?
The median annual wage is $131,620, or $63.28 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 Washington is 29.0% 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 Washington earns more than $168,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $85,390 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 Wenatchee, at $145,510 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 430 jobs in this occupation in Washington. 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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