Power Plant Operator salary in Longview-Kelso, WA
Power Plant Operators in the Longview-Kelso, WA metro area earn a median of $94,660 a year ($45.51 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $84,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,400 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 28% lower than the Washington statewide median of $131,620. The average (mean) salary is $97,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Longview-Kelso, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,290 | $40.53 |
| 25th percentile | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| Median | $94,660 | $45.51 |
| 75th percentile | $99,180 | $47.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,400 | $65.10 |
| Average (mean) | $97,480 | $46.87 |
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 | $7,888.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,944.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,640.77 |
| Weekly | $1,820.38 |
| Hourly | $45.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $145,510 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $137,030 | n/a |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $124,950 | 90 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $97,640 | 40 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Longview-Kelso, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $77,350 | $37.19 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,950 | $28.34 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| Machinist | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $76,390 | $36.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $58,790 | $28.26 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Longview-Kelso, WA
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 Longview-Kelso, WA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Longview-Kelso, WA metro area is $94,660 a year, or $45.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Longview-Kelso, WA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Longview-Kelso, WA metro area earn at least $135,400 a year. The top 25% earn $99,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Longview-Kelso, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,290 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $85,390 or less.