What are the main factors that influence an Utility Plant Operator I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Utility Plant Operator I?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Utility Plant Operator I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

How does experience change An Utility Plant Operator 's salary?

An Utility Plant Operator 's salary grows with experience: an Utility Plant Operator I (0-1 years)earns $63,106, an Utility Plant Operator II (1-3 years)earns $73,405, a Power Generation Process Operator III (3-5 years)earns $82,439, a Power Generation Process Operator IV (5-7 years)earns $95,435, a Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I (7+ years)earns $110,182,

What are the highest paying cities for an Utility Plant Operator I?

Utility Plant Operator I salary varies significantly by city. The top 3 highest paying cities in Georgia for Utility Plant Operator I roles are San Jose $88,000, San Francisco $87,100, Oakland $85,200.

How much do different types of Utility Plant Operator roles make?

Salaries for Utility Plant Operator level roles vary by specialization: Utility Plant Director: $194,810; Utility Plant Manager: $168,410; Utility Plant Shift Supervisor I: $121,810; Utility Plant Operator IV: $105,500; Utility Plant Operator V: $91,468.

What specialized skills increase an Utility Plant Operator I's salary?

Skills with high demand and low supply, such as Presentation (up to 44% premium), Integrity (up to 14% premium), Flexibility (up to 13% premium), directly translate to higher compensation. Employers pay more for these capabilities to gain a competitive edge.

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Utility Plant Operator I Salary in Toccoa, GA

How much does an Utility Plant Operator I make in Toccoa, GA?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Utility Plant Operator I in Toccoa, GA is $63,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, an Utility Plant Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,394
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,000 to $72,200
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,445

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Utility Plant Operator I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$72,200	$6,017	$1,388	$35
Average	$63,200	$5,267	$1,215	$30
25th Percentile	$56,000	$4,667	$1,077	$27

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Key Factors That Influence Utility Plant Operator I Salaries

An Utility Plant Operator I'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, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Utility Plant Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Utility Plant Operator I'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): $63,106
Utility Plant Operator II (1-3 years): $73,405
Power Generation Process Operator III (3-5 years): $82,439
Power Generation Process Operator IV (5-7 years): $95,435
Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I (7+ years): $110,182

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Utility Plant Operator I	0-1 years	$63,106
Utility Plant Operator II	1-3 years	$73,405
Power Generation Process Operator III	3-5 years	$82,439
Power Generation Process Operator IV	5-7 years	$95,435
Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I	7+ years	$110,182

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Top Paying Cities for Utility Plant Operator Is

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: $88,000
San Francisco: $87,100
Oakland: $85,200

San Jose, CA $88,000

San Francisco, CA $87,100

Oakland, CA $85,200

New York, NY $80,400

Paramus, NJ $79,400

Queens Village, NY $79,400

Passaic, NJ $79,300

Bergenfield, NJ $79,300

Stamford, CT $79,200

Huntington, NY $79,100

Newark, NJ $78,600

Bridgeport, CT $78,500

Vallejo, CA $78,300

New Brunswick, NJ $78,300

Petaluma, CA $78,300

Middlesex, NJ $78,100

Somerset, NJ $78,100

Santa Cruz, CA $78,000

Boston, MA $77,600

Monterey, CA $77,300

Seattle, WA $77,200

Santa Rosa, CA $77,100

Los Angeles, CA $77,100

Juneau, AK $76,900

Washington, DC $76,900

Orange, CA $76,600

Santa Ana, CA $76,400

Long Beach, CA $76,400

Anaheim, CA $76,400

Anchorage, AK $76,300

Santa Maria, CA $76,100

Everett, WA $76,100

Danbury, CT $75,800

Bremerton, WA $75,800

Tacoma, WA $75,500

New Suffolk, NY $75,500

Sacramento, CA $75,500

Santa Barbara, CA $75,400

Brockton, MA $75,300

San Diego, CA $75,300

Trenton, NJ $75,300

Fairbanks, AK $75,100

Lompoc, CA $74,900

Lowell, MA $74,800

Ventura, CA $74,800

Nashua, NH $74,800

Stockton, CA $74,800

Modesto, CA $74,300

Poughkeepsie, NY $74,100

New Haven, CT $74,000

Olympia, WA $74,000

Kennewick, WA $74,000

Lawrence, MA $73,700

Hartford, CT $73,700

Riverside, CA $73,700

New Bedford, MA $73,600

Richland, WA $73,600

Atlantic City, NJ $73,500

San Bernardino, CA $73,500

Bakersfield, CA $73,500

New Britain, CT $73,500

New London, CT $73,400

Norwich, CT $73,400

Portsmouth, NH $73,400

Boulder, CO $73,200

Portland, OR $73,100

Worcester, MA $73,100

Minneapolis, MN $72,900

Philadelphia, PA $72,800

Honolulu, HI $72,600

Saint Paul, MN $72,600

Vineland, NJ $72,500

Providence, RI $72,300

Chicago, IL $72,100

Bellingham, WA $72,100

Springfield, MA $72,000

Baltimore, MD $72,000

Chico, CA $71,800

Pittsfield, MA $71,600

Manchester, NH $71,500

Spokane, WA $71,200

Denver, CO $71,200

Albany, NY $70,800

Troy, NY $70,800

Nassau, NY $70,700

Schenectady, NY $70,700

Wilmington, DE $70,600

Burlington, VT $70,500

Salem, OR $70,500

Portland, ME $70,300

Yakima, WA $70,200

Rochester, MN $70,000

Reno, NV $69,900

Fresno, CA $69,900

Milwaukee, WI $69,900

Allentown, PA $69,800

Ann Arbor, MI $69,800

Detroit, MI $69,800

Colorado Springs, CO $69,700

Syracuse, NY $69,600

Carson City, NV $69,600

Houston, TX $69,500

Eugene, OR $69,500

Gary, IN $69,400

Springfield, OR $69,400

Bismarck, ND $69,400

Galveston, TX $69,300

Medford, OR $69,200

Fort Collins, CO $69,200

Concord, NH $69,100

Austin, TX $69,100

Mesa, AZ $69,000

Reading, PA $69,000

Phoenix, AZ $69,000

Dallas, TX $68,900

Saint Cloud, MN $68,900

Madison, WI $68,800

Utica, NY $68,600

Rochester, NY $68,500

Des Moines, IA $68,500

Raleigh, NC $68,500

Atlanta, GA $68,400

Battle Creek, MI $68,300

Salt Lake City, UT $68,300

Lancaster, PA $68,200

Harrisburg, PA $68,100

Pittsburgh, PA $68,000

Boca Raton, FL $68,000

Columbus, OH $68,000

Kansas City, MO $68,000

Champaign, IL $68,000

Kansas City, KS $68,000

Fort Worth, TX $68,000

Cleveland, OH $67,900

Richmond, VA $67,900

Indianapolis, IN $67,900

Cincinnati, OH $67,800

Las Vegas, NV $67,800

Petersburg, VA $67,700

Huntsville, AL $67,600

Lansing, MI $67,600

Lebanon, PA $67,600

Pueblo, CO $67,600

Saint Louis, MO $67,500

Charlotte, NC $67,500

Racine, WI $67,500

Buffalo, NY $67,500

Appleton, WI $67,500

Dayton, OH $67,500

York, PA $67,400

Elkhart, IN $67,400

Gastonia, NC $67,400

Billings, MT $67,400

Beaumont, TX $67,400

Binghamton, NY $67,300

Toledo, OH $67,300

Rock Hill, SC $67,300

Lorain, OH $67,300

Benton Harbor, MI $67,300

Rockford, IL $67,200

Springfield, IL $67,200

Elyria, OH $67,200

Fargo, ND $67,200

Flagstaff, AZ $67,200

Fort Lauderdale, FL $67,100

Duluth, MN $67,100

Miami, FL $67,100

Cheyenne, WY $67,000

Grand Forks, ND $67,000

Bangor, ME $66,900

Cedar Rapids, IA $66,800

Durham, NC $66,800

Louisville, KY $66,800

Grand Rapids, MI $66,700

Hialeah, FL $66,700

Scranton, PA $66,600

Casper, WY $66,600

Akron, OH $66,500

New Orleans, LA $66,500

Virginia Beach, VA $66,500

Peoria, IL $66,400

Sarasota, FL $66,400

Davenport, IA $66,300

Nashville, TN $66,300

Omaha, NE $66,300

Green Bay, WI $66,300

Baton Rouge, LA $66,300

Charleston, SC $66,300

Jamestown, NY $66,300

Tucson, AZ $66,200

Saint Petersburg, FL $66,200

Tampa, FL $66,200

Port Arthur, TX $66,100

Bradenton, FL $66,100

Evansville, IN $66,100

Santa Fe, NM $66,000

Clearwater, FL $65,800

Orlando, FL $65,800

La Crosse, WI $65,700

Canton, OH $65,700

Albuquerque, NM $65,600

Newport News, VA $65,600

High Point, NC $65,600

Ogden, UT $65,600

Norfolk, VA $65,500

Laramie, WY $65,500

Corpus Christi, TX $65,500

Rock Island, IL $65,400

Saginaw, MI $65,400

Jacksonville, FL $65,400

Salisbury, NC $65,400

Boise, ID $65,400

Moline, IL $65,400

Tulsa, OK $65,300

Fort Myers, FL $65,300

Memphis, TN $65,300

Spartanburg, SC $65,200

Waterloo, IA $65,200

Lincoln, NE $65,100

Fort Wayne, IN $65,100

Provo, UT $65,100

Cedar Falls, IA $65,000

San Antonio, TX $65,000

Greensboro, NC $65,000

South Bend, IN $65,000

Birmingham, AL $64,900

Muskegon, MI $64,900

Savannah, GA $64,900

Winston Salem, NC $64,800

Lake Charles, LA $64,700

Anderson, IN $64,600

Lexington, KY $64,600

Augusta, GA $64,600

Greenville, SC $64,600

Lima, OH $64,600

Springfield, OH $64,500

Columbia, SC $64,500

Wichita, KS $64,500

Tuscaloosa, AL $64,500

Asheville, NC $64,400

Bloomington, IN $64,300

Knoxville, TN $64,100

Shreveport, LA $64,000

Wilmington, NC $64,000

Roanoke, VA $64,000

Frankfort, KY $63,800

Oklahoma City, OK $63,800

Topeka, KS $63,800

Chillicothe, OH $63,700

Longview, TX $63,700

Melbourne, FL $63,700

Sioux Falls, SD $63,600

Mobile, AL $63,600

Terre Haute, IN $63,600

Amarillo, TX $63,500

Altoona, PA $63,500

Killeen, TX $63,500

Chattanooga, TN $63,400

Fayetteville, AR $63,400

Sioux City, IA $63,300

Idaho Falls, ID $63,300

Lynchburg, VA $63,300

Gainesville, FL $63,200

Clarksville, TN $63,100

Youngstown, OH $63,100

Daytona Beach, FL $63,100

Little Rock, AR $63,100

Portsmouth, OH $63,100

Lafayette, LA $63,100

Pensacola, FL $63,000

Temple, TX $63,000

Hopkinsville, KY $62,800

Erie, PA $62,800

Florence, SC $62,800

Charleston, WV $62,700

Great Falls, MT $62,600

Waco, TX $62,500

Helena, MT $62,500

Tallahassee, FL $62,500

Macon, GA $62,500

Fayetteville, NC $62,500

Pine Bluff, AR $62,400

Vincennes, IN $62,400

Lubbock, TX $62,300

Alamogordo, NM $62,300

Twin Falls, ID $62,200

Rapid City, SD $62,200

Greenville, MS $62,100

Jackson, MS $62,100

Huntington, WV $62,100

Parkersburg, WV $62,000

Montgomery, AL $62,000

Wichita Falls, TX $61,900

Springfield, MO $61,900

Biloxi, MS $61,900

Monroe, LA $61,800

Johnstown, PA $61,800

Columbus, GA $61,700

Sumter, SC $61,700

Pascagoula, MS $61,600

Abilene, TX $61,600

Kingsport, TN $61,400

Albany, GA $61,400

Gulfport, MS $61,400

Alexandria, LA $61,200

Fort Smith, AR $61,000

El Paso, TX $60,800

Las Cruces, NM $60,500

Harlingen, TX $60,300

Pocatello, ID $60,300

Florence, AL $60,200

Brownsville, TX $60,200

Mcallen, TX $60,000

Dothan, AL $59,900

Columbus, MS $59,500

Altus, OK $59,200

Lawton, OK $59,100

Pierre, SD $58,800

What Skills Can Increase an Utility Plant Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 8.08% 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.
Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.87% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
Renewable Energy (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Using renewable energy sources for more sustainable business operations to drive environmental risk and cost reduction.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting	8.08%
Preventative Maintenance	2.87%
Renewable Energy	2.07%

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 an Utility Plant Operator I's salary.

Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 44%.
Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Presentation	$91,008	44%
Integrity	$72,048	14%
Flexibility	$71,416	13%
Coordination	$68,888	9%
Verbal Communication	$68,888	9%
Planning	$68,256	8%

Get Latest Data

Utility Plant Operator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Utility Plant Operator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,136. While startup companies pay approximate $60,244.

Utility Plant Operator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$60,244
Growth Stage	51~500	$63,691
Established	501~5000	$68,716
Enterprise	5000+	$71,136

Utility Plant Operator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Utility Plant Operator I roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Energy & Utilities, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Utility Plant Operator positions in MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Utility Plant Operator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Utility Plant Operator I

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities	$82,160	$40.0	30%

Utility Plant Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Utility Plant Operator I'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 August 01, 2026

$56,000

Average $63,200/year

$72,200

$4,667

Average $5,267/month

$6,017

$1,077

Average $1,215/week

$1,388

$27

Average $30/hour

$35

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$72,200	$6,017	$1,388	$35
Average	$63,200	$5,267	$1,215	$30
25th Percentile	$56,000	$4,667	$1,077	$27

Utility Plant Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Utility Plant Operator I

Utility Plant Operator II

Power Generation Plant Operations Manager

For an Utility Plant Operator I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Utility Plant Operator II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $73,500 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Utility Plant Operator I

Find Your Next Utility Plant Operator I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Utility Plant Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

Sanzie HealthCare Services Inc

Toccoa, GA

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Sanzie HealthCare Services Inc | Toccoa, GA

Job Description. Job Description. SANZIE HEALTHCARE SERVICES INCPosition: Caregiver / CNA / PCA / HHAPay Rate: $12-14 per hour Immediate OpeningJoin Our Ca... more

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The Overlook Senior Living

Toccoa, GA

Caregiver

The Overlook Senior Living | Toccoa, GA

Job Description. Job Description. Benefits/Perks. Competitive Compensation. Careers Advancement. Job Summary. We are seeking a. Caregiver. to join our team... more

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Sanzie HealthCare Services Inc

Toccoa, GA

Home Health Registered Nurse

Sanzie HealthCare Services Inc | Toccoa, GA

Job Description. Job Description. Location: Sanzie Healthcare Services - Stephens CountyPay rate: Intake/admissions: $70 Supervisory visits: $50IMMEDIATE O... more

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1st Franklin Financial Corporation

Toccoa, GA

Loan Sales Representative

1st Franklin Financial Corporation | Toccoa, GA

Join the 1st Franklin team as a Loan Sales Representative.Salary:$14.00 to $15.75 per hour This position leverages interpersonal skills, and business knowl... more

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Jerry White's Pharmacy

Toccoa, GA

Weekend Pharmacist

Jerry White's Pharmacy | Toccoa, GA

Job Summary We are seeking a dedicated and energetic Weekend Pharmacist to join our team for Saturday shifts from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.In this role, you will... more

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U.S. Navy

Toccoa, GA

Naval Flight Officer

U.S. Navy | Toccoa, GA

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