Power Plant Operator salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Power Plant Operators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $103,900 a year ($49.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,850 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 4% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $100,140. There are 0.24 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,800, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| 25th percentile | $81,440 | $39.16 |
| Median | $103,900 | $49.95 |
| 75th percentile | $122,860 | $59.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Average (mean) | $102,800 | $49.42 |
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 | $8,658.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,329.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,996.15 |
| Weekly | $1,998.08 |
| Hourly | $49.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $101,420 | 70 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $97,320 | 80 |
| Springfield, MA | $94,860 | 30 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $73,330 | $35.25 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $82,170 | $39.50 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $83,950 | $40.36 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $79,260 | $38.11 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $82,660 | $39.74 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,210 | $27.99 |
| Machinist | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| Baker | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Food Batchmaker | $37,010 | $17.79 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $103,900 a year, or $49.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $130,850 a year. The top 25% earn $122,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,550 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $81,440 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 640 power plant operators are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.