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Utility Plant Operator IV Salary in the United States

How much does an Utility Plant Operator IV make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Utility Plant Operator IV in the United States is $105,530 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,648
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,340 to $114,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,883
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Utility Plant Operator IV Salaries

An Utility Plant Operator IV'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 Utility Plant Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Utility Plant Operator IV'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 II (1-3 years): $81,165
  • Power Generation Process Operator III (3-5 years): $91,151
  • Utility Plant Operator IV (5-7 years): $105,524
  • Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I (7+ years): $121,823
  • Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor II (7+ years): $147,101
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Utility Plant Operator II1-3 years$81,165
Power Generation Process Operator III3-5 years$91,151
Utility Plant Operator IV5-7 years$105,524
Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I7+ years$121,823
Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor II7+ years$147,101
View as Graph

How Do Utility Plant Operator IV 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 Utility Plant Operator IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $116,840.
  • California: $116,400.
  • Massachusetts: $114,850.

Top Paying Cities for Utility Plant Operator IVs

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: $133,100
  • San Francisco: $131,650
  • Oakland: $128,870

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 5.66% 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.
  • Lubricants (Mentioned in 4.91% Job Postings): A lubricant is a substance that helps to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move.
  • Pneumatics (Mentioned in 3.31% Job Postings): Pneumatics (pronounced new-MATT-ix) is an aspect of physics and engineering that is concerned with using the energy in compressed gas to make something move or work.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 5.66%
Lubricants 4.91%
Pneumatics 3.31%
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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 an Utility Plant Operator IV's salary.

  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Schematic: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability $118,194
12%
Schematic $117,138
11%
Analysis $115,028
9%
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Utility Plant Operator IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Utility Plant Operator IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $118,481. While startup companies pay approximate $100,351.

Utility Plant Operator IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $100,351
Growth Stage 51~500 $106,082
Established 501~5000 $114,453
Enterprise 5000+ $118,481

Utility Plant Operator IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Utility Plant Operator IV roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, MFG Nondurable, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Utility Plant Operator positions in Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Utility Plant Operator IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Utility Plant Operator IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$116,083$56.010%

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

Understanding how an Utility Plant Operator IV'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 September 01, 2026
$97,340
Average $105,530/year
$114,490
$8,112
Average $8,794/month
$9,541
$1,872
Average $2,029/week
$2,202
$47
Average $51/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $114,490 $9,541 $2,202 $55
Average $105,530 $8,794 $2,029 $51
25th Percentile $97,340 $8,112 $1,872 $47

Utility Plant Operator IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Utility Plant Operator IV

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Advancement

For an Utility Plant Operator IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Power Generation Plant Operations Shift Supervisor I role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $121,900 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Utility Plant Operator IV

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

Common company salaries for Utility Plant Operator IV

Here are companies hiring for Utility Plant Operator IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Utility Plant Operator IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Utility Plant Operator IV?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Utility Plant Operator IV roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary for a plant manager?

The highest salary for a Utility Plant Operator is $124,030. In comparison, a Plant Manager typically earns between $111,000 and $188,000 per year, while a Senior Plant Manager can make between $115,000 and $190,000. For a Director of Production, salaries range from $141,000 to $249,000 annually.

3. Which carrier has the highest salary?

The Utility Plant Operator offers competitive salaries, with a minimum of $98,900, a mid-range salary of $111,850, and a maximum of $124,030. While other careers like Obstetricians and Anesthesiologists may rank higher in overall pay, the Utility Plant Operator provides a solid earning potential within its field.

4. What is the highest salary for a Plant Operator?

The highest salary for a Utility Plant Operator is $124,030. The salary range typically starts at a minimum of $98,900, with a mid-level salary of $111,850. This reflects the competitive compensation for skilled operators in the industry.

5. What company pays plant operators the most?

The best companies for plant operators to work for in 2024 are Airgas and Cargill. If you are looking for the best-paying companies for plant operators, consider those offering salaries ranging from a minimum of $98,900 to a maximum of $124,030, with a median salary of $111,850.

6. Is being an operator a good career?

Being a Utility Plant Operator can be a rewarding career, especially considering the competitive salary range. With a minimum salary of $98,900, a mid-range salary of $111,850, and a maximum of $124,030, this role offers good pay without the burden of college debt. The demand for skilled operators ensures job stability and financial security.

7. What is the highest paying electrical job?

One of the highest-paying electrical jobs is a Utility Plant Operator, with a salary range from $98,900 to $124,030, and a mid-salary of $111,850. Other top roles include wind turbine technician, electrical technician, and industrial electrician, all offering competitive compensation in the electrical field.

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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