Utility Plant Operator V Salary in the United States

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

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Utility Plant Operator V in the United States is $91,411 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $109,830
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,877 to $101,052
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,018
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View as table View as graph 25% $83,877 10% $77,018 90% $109,830 75% $101,052 $91,411 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Utility Plant Operator V Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $101,052 $8,421 $1,943 $49
Average $91,411 $7,618 $1,758 $44
25th Percentile $83,877 $6,990 $1,613 $40
Check out Utility Plant Operator V Job Openings in the United States
WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

City of Columbiana - Columbiana, OH

Utility System Repairer

US Department of Veterans Affairs - Cleveland, OH

Utility System Repairer

US Government Jobs - Cleveland, OH

Plant Operator

Ross Environmental Services, Inc. - Grafton, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Utility Plant Operator V Salaries

An Utility 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 Utility Plant Operator V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Utility 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): $69,423
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $80,756
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $90,702
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $104,992
  • Expert (over 8 years): $121,236
Levels Salary
Power Pla... Level Utility Plant Operator V$69,423
Power Pla... Level Utility Plant Operator V$80,756
Utility P... Level Utility Plant Operator V$90,702
Power Pla... Level Utility Plant Operator V$104,992
Power Pla... Level Utility Plant Operator V$121,236
$69,423 0 yr
$80,756 < 2 yrs
$90,702 2-4 yrs
$104,992 5-8 yrs
$121,236 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Utility 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 Utility Plant Operator Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $101,210.
  • California: $100,826.
  • Massachusetts: $99,482.

Top Paying Cities for Utility 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: $115,296
  • San Francisco: $114,034
  • Oakland: $111,631

What Skills Can Increase an Utility Plant Operator V'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 9.99%
Installation 3.29%
Certification Programs 1.77%
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 V'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
 $101,466
11%
Standard Operating Procedures
 $98,723
8%
Coordination
 $96,895
6%
Time Management
 $96,895
6%
Gathering Information
 $96,895
6%
Critical Thinking
 $96,895
6%
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Utility Plant Operator V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Utility 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$83,877
Average $91,411/year
$101,052
$6,990
Average $7,618/month
$8,421
$1,613
Average $1,758/week
$1,943
$40
Average $44/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $101,052 $8,421 $1,943 $49
Average $91,411 $7,618 $1,758 $44
25th Percentile $83,877 $6,990 $1,613 $40

Salaries of jobs related to Utility Plant Operator V

Salary Trends for Utility Plant Operator V

Salaries for an Utility Plant Operator V can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,281 in 2023 to around $77,233 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Utility Plant Operator V salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Utility Plant Operator V Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$77,281
2024
$77,607
2025
$77,233
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $77,281
2024 $77,607
2025 $77,233
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Utility Plant Operator V

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Utility Plant Operator V

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

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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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