Power Plant Operator salary in Fairbanks-College, AK
Power Plant Operators in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn a median of $88,870 a year ($42.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,390 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Alaska statewide median of $88,870. There are 1.7 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Fairbanks-College, AK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,880 | $26.38 |
| 25th percentile | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Median | $88,870 | $42.73 |
| 75th percentile | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,390 | $54.52 |
| Average (mean) | $89,520 | $43.04 |
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 | $7,405.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,702.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,418.08 |
| Weekly | $1,709.04 |
| Hourly | $42.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $88,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alaska 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $96,630 | 150 |
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 Alaska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fairbanks-College, AK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $85,650 | $41.18 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $57,920 | $27.85 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Fairbanks-College, AK
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 Fairbanks-College, AK?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area is $88,870 a year, or $42.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Fairbanks-College, AK?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area earn at least $113,390 a year. The top 25% earn $98,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Fairbanks-College, AK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,880 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $78,210 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Fairbanks-College, AK?
About 60 power plant operators are employed in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area, not counting the self-employed.