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Power Plant Operator V Salary in the United States

How much does a Power Plant Operator V make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Power Plant Operator V in the United States is $69,935 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,095
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,049 to $79,964
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,869
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Power Plant Operator V Salaries

A Power Plant Operator V'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 Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Power Plant Operator V'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $69,198
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $80,491
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $90,394
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $104,648
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,812
Levels Salary
Power Pla... Level Power Plant Operator V$69,198
Power Pla... Level Power Plant Operator V$80,491
Power Pla... Level Power Plant Operator V$90,394
Power Pla... Level Power Plant Operator V$104,648
Power Pla... Level Power Plant Operator V$120,812
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How Do Power Plant Operator V 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 Operator Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $77,432.
  • California: $77,139.
  • Massachusetts: $76,111.

Top Paying Cities for Power Plant Operator Vs

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: $88,209
  • San Francisco: $87,244
  • Oakland: $85,405

What Skills Can Increase a Power Plant Operator V'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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 8.08%
Preventative Maintenance 2.87%
Renewable Energy 2.07%
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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 Operator V'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 $100,707
44%
Integrity $79,726
14%
Flexibility $79,027
13%
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Power Plant Operator V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Power Plant Operator V 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, Power Plant Operator positions in MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Power Plant Operator V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Power Plant Operator V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$90,916$44.030%

Power Plant Operator V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Power Plant Operator V'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
$62,049
Average $69,935/year
$79,964
$5,171
Average $5,828/month
$6,664
$1,193
Average $1,345/week
$1,538
$30
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,964 $6,664 $1,538 $38
Average $69,935 $5,828 $1,345 $34
25th Percentile $62,049 $5,171 $1,193 $30

Most common benefits for Power Plant Operator V

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

Common company salaries for Power Plant Operator V

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

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FAQ about Power Plant Operator V

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Power Plant Operator V?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Power Plant Operator V roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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