Power Plant Operator salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Power Plant Operators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $104,440 a year ($50.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,850 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 3% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $101,170. There are 0.26 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| 25th percentile | $101,170 | $48.64 |
| Median | $104,440 | $50.21 |
| 75th percentile | $123,910 | $59.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,850 | $64.83 |
| Average (mean) | $109,060 | $52.43 |
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 | $8,703.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,351.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,016.92 |
| Weekly | $2,008.46 |
| Hourly | $50.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $104,440 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Power Plant Operator pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $92,260 | $44.36 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,960 | $14.41 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Baker | $28,530 | $13.72 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,990 | $20.67 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $104,440 a year, or $50.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $134,850 a year. The top 25% earn $123,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,490 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $101,170 or less.
How many power plant operators work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 120 power plant operators are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.