Power Plant Workers

Salaries for workers in the utilities industry are relatively high, but are based on skills and experience, geographical location, union status, and other factors.

Power plant operators earned a median salary of $81,990 in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent of workers earned $45,970 or less, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $108,380 or more annually.

Power distributors and dispatchers earned a median salary of $90,700 in 2019 with the lowest 10 percent earning $56,360 or less and the top 10 percent earning $122,380 or more.

Operators in nuclear power plants averaged $100,530 annually in 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned $74,520 or less and the top 10 percent earned $128,810 or more. In many cases, employee salaries are supplemented significantly by overtime pay. Overtime often becomes necessary during power outages and severe weather conditions.

Since power plants operate around the clock, employees work multiple shifts, which can last anywhere from four to 12 hours. In general workers on night shifts are paid higher salaries than workers on day shifts. In addition to their regular earnings, most workers receive benefits, such as paid vacation days, paid sick leave, health insurance, and pension plans.