Power Plant Operator salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
Power Plant Operators in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area earn a median of $100,300 a year ($48.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 3% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $97,210. There are 0.23 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,310, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| 25th percentile | $73,080 | $35.13 |
| Median | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| 75th percentile | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,730 | $58.04 |
| Average (mean) | $94,310 | $45.34 |
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 | $8,358.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,179.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,857.69 |
| Weekly | $1,928.85 |
| Hourly | $48.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $110,030 | 130 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,820 | 220 |
| Toledo, OH | $107,440 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $104,120 | 120 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,320 | 240 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $84,150 | 30 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,890 | $18.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| Machinist | $46,290 | $22.25 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $40,240 | $19.34 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Baker | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $40,590 | $19.52 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
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 Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area is $100,300 a year, or $48.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area earn at least $120,730 a year. The top 25% earn $103,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,830 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $73,080 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
About 30 power plant operators are employed in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.