Power Plant Operator salary in Knoxville, TN
Power Plant Operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $115,920 a year ($55.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,080 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $115,920. There are 0.22 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $111,850, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| 25th percentile | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Median | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| 75th percentile | $119,080 | $57.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,080 | $57.25 |
| Average (mean) | $111,850 | $53.78 |
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 | $9,660 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,830 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,458.46 |
| Weekly | $2,229.23 |
| Hourly | $55.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $115,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $119,080 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $115,920 | 60 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $105,370 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,120 | $28.42 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $54,910 | $26.40 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Machinist | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Baker | $31,890 | $15.33 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,490 | $18.03 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $115,920 a year, or $55.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $119,080 a year. The top 25% earn $119,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,370 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $105,370 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Knoxville, TN?
About 90 power plant operators are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.