Power Plant Operator salary in Bay City, MI
Power Plant Operators in the Bay City, MI metro area earn a median of $98,930 a year ($47.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,090 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 7% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $105,820. There are 1.6 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Bay City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| 25th percentile | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Median | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| 75th percentile | $124,090 | $59.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,090 | $59.66 |
| Average (mean) | $104,870 | $50.42 |
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 | $8,244.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,122.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,805 |
| Weekly | $1,902.50 |
| Hourly | $47.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $108,050 | 300 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $103,230 | 80 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bay City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,620 | $28.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Machinist | $52,780 | $25.37 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,350 | $22.76 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Baker | $33,340 | $16.03 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,740 | $18.63 |
| Food Batchmaker | $34,060 | $16.38 |
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 Bay City, MI?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Bay City, MI metro area is $98,930 a year, or $47.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Bay City, MI?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Bay City, MI metro area earn at least $124,090 a year. The top 25% earn $124,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Bay City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,930 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $98,930 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Bay City, MI?
About 50 power plant operators are employed in the Bay City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.