Power Plant Operator salary in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
Power Plant Operators in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area earn a median of $81,580 a year ($39.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,890 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $79,900. There are 0.13 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $85,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,250 | $28.96 |
| 25th percentile | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| Median | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| 75th percentile | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,890 | $49.46 |
| Average (mean) | $85,870 | $41.29 |
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 | $6,798.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,399.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,137.69 |
| Weekly | $1,568.85 |
| Hourly | $39.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,030 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $113,540 | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,900 | 150 |
| Columbia, SC | $79,600 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $61,660 | $29.64 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,650 | $36.85 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $59,350 | $28.53 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Machinist | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | $46,950 | $22.57 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC
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 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area is $81,580 a year, or $39.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area earn at least $102,890 a year. The top 25% earn $101,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,250 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $76,150 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC?
About 60 power plant operators are employed in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.