Power Plant Operator salary in Louisiana
Power Plant Operators in Louisiana earn a median of $101,170 a year ($48.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,910 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,040. Louisiana ranks 27th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.19 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,610, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,410 | $30.00 |
| 25th percentile | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Median | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| 75th percentile | $112,840 | $54.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,910 | $59.57 |
| Average (mean) | $97,610 | $46.93 |
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 | $8,430.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,215.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,891.15 |
| Weekly | $1,945.58 |
| Hourly | $48.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Power Plant Operator salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $104,440 | 120 |
| Alexandria, LA | $102,830 | 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $106,640 | $51.27 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $100,060 | $48.10 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $108,350 | $52.09 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,490 | $23.80 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,210 | $21.73 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Machinist | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,070 | $21.67 |
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for power plant operators in Louisiana is $101,170 a year, or $48.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Louisiana earn at least $123,910 a year. The top 25% earn $112,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,410 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $85,610 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Louisiana?
About 370 power plant operators are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.