Power Plant Operators Salary in Tennessee
Power Plant Operators in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $115,920 —13.6% above the national median of $102,040. That ranks TN #7 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.80× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $131,620 | $63.28 | 430 | 0.65 |
| 2 | Nevada | $131,400 | $63.17 | 250 | 0.86 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $131,370 | $63.16 | 300 | 0.37 |
| 4 | Idaho | $124,440 | $59.83 | 310 | 1.90 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $122,160 | $58.73 | 150 | 1.89 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $121,700 | $58.51 | 290 | 2.43 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $115,920 | $55.73 | 490 | 0.80 |
| 8 | Maryland | $111,260 | $53.49 | 330 | 0.64 |
| 9 | Oregon | $109,830 | $52.80 | 250 | 0.66 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $108,300 | $52.07 | 420 | 0.45 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $44,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $74,450 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $48,570 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $53,750 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $43,220 |
| Machinists | $49,600 | $58,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for power plant operators in Tennessee is $115,920, or $55.73 per hour. That is 13.6% above the national median of $102,040.
What is the entry-level power plant operators salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $68,060 per year ($32.72/hour). The 25th percentile is $105,370.
How many people work as power plant operators in Tennessee?
About 490 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for power plant operators?
Tennessee ranks #7 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.80x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
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).