Power Plant Operator salary in Wichita, KS
Power Plant Operators in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $63,240 a year ($30.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,760 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $102,040. Pay here is 21% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $79,980. There are 0.24 power plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for power plant operators in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,620 | $22.90 |
| 25th percentile | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Median | $63,240 | $30.41 |
| 75th percentile | $100,560 | $48.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,760 | $63.34 |
| Average (mean) | $75,570 | $36.33 |
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 | $5,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,635 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,432.31 |
| Weekly | $1,216.15 |
| Hourly | $30.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $110,410 | 230 |
| Manhattan, KS | $98,840 | 70 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $107,260 | $51.57 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $64,490 | $31.00 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $59,850 | $28.77 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $63,030 | $30.31 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,030 | $36.56 |
| Machinist | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $58,770 | $28.26 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,100 | $21.68 |
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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for power plant operators in the Wichita, KS metro area is $63,240 a year, or $30.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid power plant operators make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of power plant operators in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $131,760 a year. The top 25% earn $100,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for power plant operators in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,620 a year, and a quarter of power plant operators earn $48,320 or less.
How many power plant operators work in Wichita, KS?
About 70 power plant operators are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.