Power Plant Operator salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Power Plant Operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $124,950 a year ($60.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,420 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 5% lower than the Washington statewide median of $131,620. There are 0.04 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $132,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| 25th percentile | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| Median | $124,950 | $60.07 |
| 75th percentile | $171,350 | $82.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,420 | $87.70 |
| Average (mean) | $132,410 | $63.66 |
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 | $10,412.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,206.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,805.77 |
| Weekly | $2,402.88 |
| Hourly | $60.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $124,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $145,510 | 70 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $137,030 | n/a |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $97,640 | 40 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $94,660 | n/a |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $112,250 | $53.96 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $160,570 | $77.20 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $97,080 | $46.67 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $80,460 | $38.68 |
| Machinist | $74,560 | $35.85 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $58,370 | $28.06 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $110,470 | $53.11 |
| Baker | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $66,240 | $31.85 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,370 | $20.37 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $124,950 a year, or $60.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $182,420 a year. The top 25% earn $171,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,270 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $102,040 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 90 power plant operators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.