Power Plant Operator salary in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA
Power Plant Operators in the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA metro area earn a median of $145,510 a year ($69.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $139,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,350 for the top 10%. That is 43% higher than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 11% higher than the Washington statewide median of $131,620. There are 1.4 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $150,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $139,730 | $67.18 |
| 25th percentile | $145,510 | $69.96 |
| Median | $145,510 | $69.96 |
| 75th percentile | $165,460 | $79.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,350 | $82.86 |
| Average (mean) | $150,930 | $72.56 |
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 | $12,125.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,062.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,596.54 |
| Weekly | $2,798.27 |
| Hourly | $69.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $145,510 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $137,030 | n/a |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $124,950 | 90 |
| 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 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $87,840 | $42.23 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Machinist | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Baker | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $36,950 | $17.77 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,230 | $18.86 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,050 | $26.95 |
| Food Batchmaker | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $48,700 | $23.42 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA metro area is $145,510 a year, or $69.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $139,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA metro area earn at least $172,350 a year. The top 25% earn $165,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $139,730 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $145,510 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA?
About 70 power plant operators are employed in the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.