Power Plant Operator salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Power Plant Operators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $102,240 a year ($49.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,600 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 6% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $108,300. There are 0.27 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,610, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| 25th percentile | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Median | $102,240 | $49.16 |
| 75th percentile | $106,870 | $51.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,600 | $57.02 |
| Average (mean) | $96,610 | $46.45 |
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 | $8,520 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,260 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,932.31 |
| Weekly | $1,966.15 |
| Hourly | $49.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $66,500 | 110 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $46,080 | $22.15 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Upholsterer | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $53,800 | $25.87 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,410 | $18.95 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | $49,200 | $23.66 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $102,240 a year, or $49.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $118,600 a year. The top 25% earn $106,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,880 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $82,880 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 40 power plant operators are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.