Power Plant Operator salary in Las Cruces, NM
Power Plant Operators in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn a median of $57,980 a year ($27.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,690 for the top 10%. That is 43% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 45% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $105,510. There are 0.38 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Las Cruces, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| 25th percentile | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Median | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| 75th percentile | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,690 | $58.50 |
| Average (mean) | $69,360 | $33.35 |
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 | $4,831.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,415.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230 |
| Weekly | $1,115 |
| Hourly | $27.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Las Cruces, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $47,350 | $22.77 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Baker | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $36,950 | $17.77 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $31,920 | $15.35 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| Machinist | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Food Batchmaker | $28,990 | $13.94 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $34,140 | $16.42 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Las Cruces, NM
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 Las Cruces, NM?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $57,980 a year, or $27.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Las Cruces, NM?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn at least $121,690 a year. The top 25% earn $97,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Las Cruces, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,300 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $43,300 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Las Cruces, NM?
About 30 power plant operators are employed in the Las Cruces, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.