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Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salary in the United States

How much does a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I in the United States is $121,845 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,637
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $110,546 to $133,252
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $100,259

Key Factors That Influence Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salaries

A Power Plant Operations Supervisor 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Power Plant Operations Supervisor 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:

  • Power Plant Operations Supervisor I (0-3 years): $121,845
  • Power Plant Operations Shift Supervisor II (3-5 years): $147,132
  • Power Plant Operations Manager (5+ years): $168,476
  • Power Plant Operations Director (5+ years): $194,882
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Power Plant Operations Supervisor I0-3 years$121,845
Power Plant Operations Shift Supervisor II3-5 years$147,132
Power Plant Operations Manager5+ years$168,476
Power Plant Operations Director5+ years$194,882

Top Paying Cities for Power Plant Operations Supervisor 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: $153,683
  • San Francisco: $152,000
  • Oakland: $148,797

What Skills Can Increase a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Resource Management (Mentioned in 8.89% Job Postings): Planning, scheduling, coordinating and allocating people, money, and technology to achieve the greatest organizational value.
  • Microsoft Word (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Microsoft Word or MS Word is a popular word-processing program used mainly for creating documents, such as brochures, letters, learning activities, quizzes, tests, and students' homework assignments
  • Safety Training (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Providing learning programs designed to train employees on precautionary processes and procedures to perform their duties safely and effectively.
Skills Demand Percentage
Resource Management 8.89%
Microsoft Word 2.22%
Safety Training 2.22%

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 Operations Supervisor I's salary.

  • Microsoft Word: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Critical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Mechanical Aptitude: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Microsoft Word $143,777
18%
Critical Thinking $136,466
12%
Mechanical Aptitude $134,030
10%

Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Power Plant Operations Supervisor I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $133,942. While startup companies pay approximate $113,780.

Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $113,780
Growth Stage 51~500 $120,202
Established 501~5000 $129,440
Enterprise 5000+ $133,942

Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Power Plant Operations Supervisor I roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (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, Power Plant Operations Supervisor positions in Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Power Plant Operations Supervisor I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$134,030$64.010%
MFG Durable$127,937$62.05%

How Education impacts a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Power Plant Operations Supervisor I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Power Plant Operations Supervisor I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $117,664 and $124,801.

Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.4%
High School 47.6%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 35.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Power Plant Operations Supervisor 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 October 01, 2026
$110,546
Average $121,845/year
$133,252
$9,212
Average $10,154/month
$11,104
$2,126
Average $2,343/week
$2,563
$53
Average $59/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $133,252 $11,104 $2,563 $64
Average $121,845 $10,154 $2,343 $59
25th Percentile $110,546 $9,212 $2,126 $53

Power Plant Operations Supervisor I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Power Plant Operations Supervisor II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $147,132 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I

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

Common company salaries for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I

Here are companies hiring for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Power Plant Operations Supervisor I

1. Where can a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I earn the most?

A Power Plant Operations Supervisor I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Power Plant Operations Supervisor I is $153,683.

2. What is the highest pay for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I?

The highest pay for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I is $143,637.

3. What is the lowest pay for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I?

The lowest pay for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I is $100,259.

4. What are the responsibilities of Power Plant Operations Supervisor I?

Responsible for the operations of a power generation plant during an assigned shift. Supervises the operators who control, monitor, and maintain the machinery and systems within a power plant. Monitors instruments to maintain and meet fluctuating consumer demand throughout the day. Checks equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems. Ensures all safety protocols are followed. May require an associate degree. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Power Plant Operations Supervisor I roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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