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Occupation · SOC 51-8013

Power Plant Operators

There are 29,320 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $102,040 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
29,320
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$102,040
Median pay a year
Middle half: $79,690–$119,080
2,300
Annual openings
10-year change: −5.1%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 112 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $131,770 · LCA filings 01,090$131,7700
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $103,900 · LCA filings 0640$103,9000
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $123,540 · LCA filings 0640$123,5400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $105,870 · LCA filings 0540$105,8700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $104,620 · LCA filings 0530$104,6200
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $99,000 · LCA filings 0470$99,0000
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $62,080 · LCA filings 0380$62,0800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $101,350 · LCA filings 0310$101,3500
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $108,050 · LCA filings 0300$108,0500
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $132,600 · LCA filings 0300$132,6000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Wenatchee–East Wenatchee, WAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$145,510700
Fresno, CAEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$138,9301300
Boise City, IDEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$134,050700
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 210 · LCA filings 0$133,3802100
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$133,1401300

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $107,973 · Level III $123,656 · Level IV $139,360$92,269$107,973$123,656$139,360
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $87,984 · Level III $102,648 · Level IV $117,333$73,299$87,984$102,648$117,333
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $105,331 · Level III $116,022 · Level IV $126,734$94,619$105,331$116,022$126,734
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $91,957 · Level III $105,706 · Level IV $119,454$78,208$91,957$105,706$119,454
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $75,546 · Level III $93,746 · Level IV $111,946$57,346$75,546$93,746$111,946
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $86,986 · Level III $99,882 · Level IV $112,798$74,069$86,986$99,882$112,798
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $60,050 · Level III $72,862 · Level IV $85,696$47,216$60,050$72,862$85,696
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $92,934 · Level III $103,667 · Level IV $114,400$82,202$92,934$103,667$114,400
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $100,360 · Level III $111,800 · Level IV $123,219$88,941$100,360$111,800$123,219
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $110,490 · Level III $130,686 · Level IV $150,883$90,293$110,490$130,686$150,883

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Energy Systems Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.17Varies by program30Varies by program

See Power Plant Operators in every metro area

All 112 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology