Power Plant Operators · New Jersey

Power Plant Operators Salary in New Jersey

Power Plant Operators in New Jersey earn a median annual wage of $131,370 —28.7% above the national median of $102,040. That ranks NJ #3 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$131,370
Median hourly
$63.16
Entry level (P10)
$83,510
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$131,940
90th percentile
Employment
300
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+28.7%
U.S. $102,040

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$83,510
$123,130
$131,370
$131,770
$83,510$131,370$131,940
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $131,370.

Employment is only 0.37× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.

Highest-paying states for power plant operators

All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. New Jersey is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Washington$131,620$63.284300.65
2Nevada$131,400$63.172500.86
3New Jersey$131,370$63.163000.37
4Idaho$124,440$59.833101.90
5North Dakota$122,160$58.731501.89
6Hawaii$121,700$58.512902.43
7Tennessee$115,920$55.734900.80
8Maryland$111,260$53.493300.64
9Oregon$109,830$52.802500.66
10North Carolina$108,300$52.074200.45

Related occupations in New Jersey

Occupations in the same job family, compared within New Jersey.

Frequently asked questions

How much do power plant operators make in New Jersey?

The median annual wage for power plant operators in New Jersey is $131,370, or $63.16 per hour. That is 28.7% above the national median of $102,040.

What is the entry-level power plant operators salary in New Jersey?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $83,510 per year ($40.15/hour). The 25th percentile is $123,130.

How many people work as power plant operators in New Jersey?

About 300 people work in this occupation in New Jersey, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is New Jersey a good state for power plant operators?

New Jersey ranks #3 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.37x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.

Which state pays power plant operators the most?

Washington has the highest median wage at $131,620 per year, followed by Nevada ($131,400) and New Jersey ($131,370).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes