Power Plant Operator salary in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
Power Plant Operators in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median of $104,620 a year ($50.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,030 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% higher than the Texas statewide median of $102,510. There are 0.16 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,920, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,680 | $25.81 |
| 25th percentile | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Median | $104,620 | $50.30 |
| 75th percentile | $121,440 | $58.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,030 | $60.11 |
| Average (mean) | $93,920 | $45.16 |
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 | $8,718.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,359.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,023.85 |
| Weekly | $2,011.92 |
| Hourly | $50.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $104,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $110,950 | 220 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $106,720 | 240 |
| Lubbock, TX | $101,900 | 40 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $101,560 | 40 |
| Longview, TX | $100,180 | 120 |
| El Paso, TX | $97,670 | 80 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $85,350 | 170 |
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 Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $51,940 | $24.97 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $106,020 | $50.97 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $53,200 | $25.58 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,940 | $27.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,330 | $36.21 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $79,430 | $38.19 |
| Machinist | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,280 | $24.17 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $104,620 a year, or $50.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn at least $125,030 a year. The top 25% earn $121,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,680 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $62,710 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
About 530 power plant operators are employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.