Power Plant Operators Salary in Virginia
Power Plant Operators in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $73,640 —27.8% below the national median of $102,040. That ranks VA #48 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 0.76× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
Highest-paying states for power plant operators
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia 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 Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,900 | $44,650 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,150 | $74,450 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,590 | $48,570 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,180 | $53,750 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,950 | $43,220 |
| Machinists | $61,290 | $58,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for power plant operators in Virginia is $73,640, or $35.41 per hour. That is 27.8% below the national median of $102,040.
What is the entry-level power plant operators salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $47,190 per year ($22.69/hour). The 25th percentile is $59,260.
How many people work as power plant operators in Virginia?
About 590 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for power plant operators?
Virginia ranks #48 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.76x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Virginia.
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).