Power Plant Operators Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$99,670
↑ 52.7% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Power Plant Operators — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Power Plant Operators — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 52.7% since 2011 ($65,280 → $99,670)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $99,670
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 3.2% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately +4%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $99,670 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | $97,010 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $93,060 | +15.1% |
| 2021 | $80,850 | -4.5% |
| 2020 | $84,650 | +3.2% |
| 2019 | $81,990 | +3.0% |
| 2018 | $79,610 | +3.1% |
| 2017 | $77,180 | +3.3% |
| 2016 | $74,690 | +3.8% |
| 2015 | $71,940 | +2.7% |
| 2014 | $70,070 | +2.9% |
| 2013 | $68,100 | +3.0% |
| 2012 | $66,130 | +1.3% |
| 2011 | $65,280 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.