Power Plant Operator salary in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Power Plant Operators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn a median of $113,540 a year ($54.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,540 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 6% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $107,580. There are 0.40 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,900, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| 25th percentile | $89,090 | $42.83 |
| Median | $113,540 | $54.59 |
| 75th percentile | $113,540 | $54.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,540 | $54.59 |
| Average (mean) | $99,900 | $48.03 |
Half of power plant operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,461.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,730.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,366.92 |
| Weekly | $2,183.46 |
| Hourly | $54.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $113,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Power Plant Operator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,030 | 120 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $119,380 | 260 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $115,920 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $81,580 | 60 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,900 | 150 |
| Columbia, SC | $79,600 | 150 |
| Savannah, GA | $59,010 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,620 |
| Nevada | $131,400 |
| New Jersey | $131,370 |
| Idaho | $124,440 |
| North Dakota | $122,160 |
| Hawaii | $121,700 |
| Tennessee | $115,920 |
| Maryland | $111,260 |
| Oregon | $109,830 |
| North Carolina | $108,300 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $42,380 | $20.38 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Machinist | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Baker | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,270 | $21.76 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,790 | $27.79 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $34,900 | $16.78 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8013. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area is $113,540 a year, or $54.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn at least $113,540 a year. The top 25% earn $113,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,320 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $89,090 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
About 90 power plant operators are employed in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.