Power Plant Operator salary in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
Power Plant Operators in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area earn a median of $97,800 a year ($47.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,500 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 25% higher than the Vermont statewide median of $78,240. There are 0.46 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| 25th percentile | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| Median | $97,800 | $47.02 |
| 75th percentile | $120,810 | $58.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,500 | $64.18 |
| Average (mean) | $98,350 | $47.29 |
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 | $8,150 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,075 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,761.54 |
| Weekly | $1,880.77 |
| Hourly | $47.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Vermont at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Vermont statewide figures.
Related jobs in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $67,250 | $32.33 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,140 | $22.67 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,230 | $22.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $80,290 | $38.60 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $52,820 | $25.40 |
| Baker | $43,090 | $20.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,340 | $25.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $45,580 | $21.92 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Burlington-South Burlington, VT
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 Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area is $97,800 a year, or $47.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area earn at least $133,500 a year. The top 25% earn $120,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,020 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $78,240 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Burlington-South Burlington, VT?
About 60 power plant operators are employed in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT metro area, not counting the self-employed.