SOC 51-8013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Power Plant Operators — West Tennessee
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in West Tennessee, TN comes to $125,690 a year, ahead of the national median of $102,040 by 23.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in West Tennessee, TN comes to $125,690 a year, ahead of the national median of $102,040 by 23.2%. Pay ranges from under $115,920 at the tenth percentile to more than $131,730 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $119,080 to $125,690.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.85 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Memphis records the highest median at $119,080. Of the 324 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 6th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $115,920 | +13.6% |
| 25th | $119,080 | +16.7% |
| Median (50th) | $125,690 | +23.2% |
| 75th | $125,690 | +23.2% |
| 90th | $131,730 | +29.1% |
| Mean | $123,430 | +21.0% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $119,080 | 120 | |
| 2 | Chattanooga | $115,920 | 60 | |
| 3 | Knoxville | $115,920 | 90 | |
| 4 | Nashville | $105,370 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $125,690 goes as far as $136,768 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 34.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$125,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$136,768US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $125,690 a year, 23.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $115,920 to $131,730 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Memphis, at $119,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Power Plant Operators in West Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $125,690, or $60.43 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 West Tennessee, TN is 23.2% 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 West Tennessee, TN earns more than $131,730 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $115,920 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 Memphis, at $119,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in West Tennessee, TN. 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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