Power Plant Operator salary in Montana
Power Plant Operators in Montana earn a median of $106,040 a year ($50.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,560 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $102,040. Montana ranks 16th of 49 states for power plant operators pay. There are 0.25 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,440, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| 25th percentile | $91,520 | $44.00 |
| Median | $106,040 | $50.98 |
| 75th percentile | $110,840 | $53.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,560 | $57.96 |
| Average (mean) | $99,440 | $47.81 |
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 | $8,836.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,418.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,078.46 |
| Weekly | $2,039.23 |
| Hourly | $50.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $106,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $98,310 | $47.26 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $81,340 | $39.11 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $83,630 | $40.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Baker | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Machinist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $47,920 | $23.04 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for power plant operators in Montana is $106,040 a year, or $50.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of power plant operators in Montana earn at least $120,560 a year. The top 25% earn $110,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,840 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $91,520 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Montana?
About 130 power plant operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.