Power Plant Operator salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Power Plant Operators in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn a median of $126,190 a year ($60.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,450 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 18% higher than the Utah statewide median of $107,120. There are 0.12 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $123,140, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| 25th percentile | $122,180 | $58.74 |
| Median | $126,190 | $60.67 |
| 75th percentile | $126,190 | $60.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,450 | $65.12 |
| Average (mean) | $123,140 | $59.20 |
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 | $10,515.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,257.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,853.46 |
| Weekly | $2,426.73 |
| Hourly | $60.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $126,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $117,850 | 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 Utah statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $109,390 | $52.59 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,470 | $30.03 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,330 | $35.26 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $42,110 | $20.24 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,460 | $19.93 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Baker | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Machinist | $61,640 | $29.64 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area is $126,190 a year, or $60.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn at least $135,450 a year. The top 25% earn $126,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,710 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $122,180 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
About 100 power plant operators are employed in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area, not counting the self-employed.