Power Plant Operator salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Power Plant Operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $119,080 a year ($57.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,260 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $115,920. There are 0.19 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $104,310, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| 25th percentile | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| Median | $119,080 | $57.25 |
| 75th percentile | $125,690 | $60.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,260 | $66.47 |
| Average (mean) | $104,310 | $50.15 |
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 | $9,923.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,961.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,580 |
| Weekly | $2,290 |
| Hourly | $57.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $119,080 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $115,920 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $115,920 | 90 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $105,370 | 80 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $104,190 | 110 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $89,460 | 50 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,730 | $46.50 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,990 | $31.73 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Machinist | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.26 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $119,080 a year, or $57.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $138,260 a year. The top 25% earn $125,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,060 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $68,060 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 120 power plant operators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.