Power Plant Operator salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Power Plant Operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $84,150 a year ($40.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,810 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 10% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $93,400. There are 0.12 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $83,100, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| 25th percentile | $50,780 | $24.41 |
| Median | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| 75th percentile | $115,760 | $55.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,810 | $55.68 |
| Average (mean) | $83,100 | $39.95 |
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 | $7,012.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,506.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,236.54 |
| Weekly | $1,618.27 |
| Hourly | $40.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $109,820 | 220 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $104,120 | 120 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $100,300 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Food Batchmaker | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,680 | $25.81 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Printing Press Operator | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Baker | $34,460 | $16.57 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $36,170 | $17.39 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $84,150 a year, or $40.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $115,810 a year. The top 25% earn $115,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,200 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $50,780 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 30 power plant operators are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.