Power Plant Operator salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Power Plant Operators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $66,500 a year ($31.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,420 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 10% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $73,640. There are 0.14 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $64,660, close to the median.
Pay range for power plant operators in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| 25th percentile | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| Median | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| 75th percentile | $73,940 | $35.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Average (mean) | $64,660 | $31.09 |
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 | $5,541.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,770.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,557.69 |
| Weekly | $1,278.85 |
| Hourly | $31.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $132,030 | 120 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $102,240 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,320 | 240 |
| Richmond, VA | $63,640 | 60 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Machinist | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Baker | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $29,460 | $14.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | $67,540 | $32.47 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $66,500 a year, or $31.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $76,420 a year. The top 25% earn $73,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,410 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $59,330 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 110 power plant operators are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.