Power Plant Operator salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Power Plant Operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $108,050 a year ($51.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,290 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $105,820. There are 0.16 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $111,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,340 | $38.15 |
| 25th percentile | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Median | $108,050 | $51.95 |
| 75th percentile | $130,350 | $62.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Average (mean) | $111,910 | $53.80 |
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 | $9,004.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,502.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,155.77 |
| Weekly | $2,077.88 |
| Hourly | $51.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $108,050 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $103,230 | 80 |
| Bay City, MI | $98,930 | 50 |
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $108,650 | $52.24 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $124,140 | $59.68 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $87,700 | $42.17 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $61,790 | $29.71 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $86,860 | $41.76 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,490 | $36.29 |
| Machinist | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $73,120 | $35.15 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,810 | $24.91 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $108,050 a year, or $51.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $132,290 a year. The top 25% earn $130,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,340 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $106,000 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 300 power plant operators are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.