Power Plant Operator salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Power Plant Operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $109,090 a year ($52.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,490 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 2% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $107,000. There are 0.09 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $104,760, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,580 | $33.45 |
| 25th percentile | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| Median | $109,090 | $52.45 |
| 75th percentile | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,490 | $64.66 |
| Average (mean) | $104,760 | $50.36 |
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 | $9,090.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,545.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,195.77 |
| Weekly | $2,097.88 |
| Hourly | $52.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $109,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $123,540 | 640 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,820 | 220 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $104,120 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $103,030 | 80 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $79,160 | $38.06 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Machinist | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Printing Press Operator | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $46,250 | $22.24 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $109,090 a year, or $52.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $134,490 a year. The top 25% earn $113,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,580 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $99,750 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 100 power plant operators are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.