SOC 51-8013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Power Plant Operators — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 3 metro areas compared
At $66,080, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Power Plant Operators, 35.2% beneath the national figure of $102,040.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $66,080, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Power Plant Operators, 35.2% beneath the national figure of $102,040. Pay ranges from under $54,960 at the tenth percentile to more than $118,270 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $59,240 to $90,820.
Employment stands at 420, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Wisconsin ranks number 49th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Milwaukee records the highest median at $75,300. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 285th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $54,960 | −46.1% |
| 25th | $59,240 | −41.9% |
| Median (50th) | $66,080 | −35.2% |
| 75th | $90,820 | −11.0% |
| 90th | $118,270 | +15.9% |
| Mean | $77,010 | −24.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $66,080 goes as far as $70,223 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 31.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$70,223US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,080 a year, 35.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $54,960 to $118,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 420 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 49th of 49 states for 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 Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $66,080, or $31.77 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 Wisconsin is 35.2% 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 Wisconsin earns more than $118,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $54,960 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 420 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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