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Power Plant Worker III Salary in the United States

How much does a Power Plant Worker III make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Power Plant Worker III in the United States is $91,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

However, a Power Plant Worker III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $109,530
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,690 to $100,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $76,862
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Power Plant Worker III Salaries

A Power Plant Worker III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Power Plant Worker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Power Plant Worker III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Utility Plant Operator I (0-1 years): $69,794
  • Utility Plant Operator II (1-3 years): $81,184
  • Power Plant Worker III (3-5 years): $91,170
  • Power Generation Process Operator IV (5-7 years): $105,549
  • Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I (7+ years): $121,845
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Utility Plant Operator I0-1 years$69,794
Utility Plant Operator II1-3 years$81,184
Power Plant Worker III3-5 years$91,170
Power Generation Process Operator IV5-7 years$105,549
Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I7+ years$121,845
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How Do Power Plant Worker III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Power Plant Worker IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $100,990.
  • California: $100,590.
  • Massachusetts: $99,290.

Top Paying Cities for Power Plant Worker IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $114,990
  • San Francisco: $113,790
  • Oakland: $111,390

What Skills Can Increase a Power Plant Worker III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 9.99% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 3.29% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • Certification Programs (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): A certificate program is a specialized education designed to develop or strengthen specific career skills. Considered as continuing education in some cases because it builds on your knowledge of a particular career or industry.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 9.99%
Installation 3.29%
Certification Programs 1.77%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Power Plant Worker III's salary.

  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Standard Operating Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement $101,221
11%
Standard Operating Procedures $98,485
8%
Coordination $96,661
6%
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Power Plant Worker III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Power Plant Worker III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $100,243. While startup companies pay approximate $85,154.

Power Plant Worker III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $85,154
Growth Stage 51~500 $89,960
Established 501~5000 $96,874
Enterprise 5000+ $100,243

Power Plant Worker III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Power Plant Worker III roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, MFG Nondurable, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Power Plant Worker positions in Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Power Plant Worker III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Power Plant Worker III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$109,428$53.020%

Power Plant Worker III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Power Plant Worker III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$83,690
Average $91,190/year
$100,790
$6,974
Average $7,599/month
$8,399
$1,609
Average $1,754/week
$1,938
$40
Average $44/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $100,790 $8,399 $1,938 $48
Average $91,190 $7,599 $1,754 $44
25th Percentile $83,690 $6,974 $1,609 $40

Power Plant Worker III Salary Growth & Career Path

Power Plant Worker III

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Advancement

For a Power Plant Worker III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Power Generation Process Operator IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $105,600 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Power Plant Worker III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Power Plant Worker III

Here are companies hiring for Power Plant Worker III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Power Plant Worker III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Power Plant Worker III?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Power Plant Worker III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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