Power Plant Operator salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Power Plant Operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $102,780 a year ($49.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,820 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $102,780. There are 0.05 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $110,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| 25th percentile | $94,940 | $45.64 |
| Median | $102,780 | $49.42 |
| 75th percentile | $134,690 | $64.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,820 | $66.26 |
| Average (mean) | $110,240 | $53.00 |
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 | $8,565 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,282.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,953.08 |
| Weekly | $1,976.54 |
| Hourly | $49.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $48,550 | $23.34 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $101,600 | $48.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,860 | $38.40 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Baker | $42,490 | $20.43 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $39,000 | $18.75 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $102,780 a year, or $49.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $137,820 a year. The top 25% earn $134,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,270 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $94,940 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 90 power plant operators are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.