Power Plant Operator salary in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
Power Plant Operators in the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area earn a median of $75,140 a year ($36.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,870 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 30% lower than the New York statewide median of $106,990. There are 1.2 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| 25th percentile | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Median | $75,140 | $36.13 |
| 75th percentile | $97,870 | $47.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,870 | $63.40 |
| Average (mean) | $79,290 | $38.12 |
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 | $6,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,130.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,890 |
| Weekly | $1,445 |
| Hourly | $36.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $131,770 | 1,090 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $103,300 | 150 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $99,020 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $97,300 | 290 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $86,280 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $80,820 | 40 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $64,580 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,690 | $25.81 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $33,680 | $16.19 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,780 | $26.82 |
| Baker | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $47,850 | $23.01 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY
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 Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area is $75,140 a year, or $36.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area earn at least $131,870 a year. The top 25% earn $97,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,330 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $59,860 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Watertown-Fort Drum, NY?
About 50 power plant operators are employed in the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.