Power Plant Operator salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Power Plant Operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $110,410 a year ($53.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,430 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 8% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $101,900. There are 0.21 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $104,210, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| 25th percentile | $88,780 | $42.69 |
| Median | $110,410 | $53.08 |
| 75th percentile | $112,630 | $54.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,430 | $61.75 |
| Average (mean) | $104,210 | $50.10 |
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 | $9,200.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,600.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,246.54 |
| Weekly | $2,123.27 |
| Hourly | $53.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $110,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $101,820 | n/a |
| Manhattan, KS | $98,840 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,240 | 70 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $52,770 | $25.37 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $98,770 | $47.49 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $81,290 | $39.08 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $105,450 | $50.70 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $74,540 | $35.84 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,210 | $20.29 |
| Baker | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,560 | $22.38 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $110,410 a year, or $53.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $128,430 a year. The top 25% earn $112,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,120 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $88,780 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 230 power plant operators are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.