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Salary comparison

Power Plant Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

Power Plant Operators out-earn First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Power Plant Operators land at $102,040 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: power plant operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Power Plant Operators is Washington ($131,620); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Power Plant Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$102,040
$74,450
Hourly rate
$49.06/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$61,790
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$131,940
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
29,320
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-11.2%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Power Plant Operators median pay.

State
Power Plant Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Washington
$131,620
$79,310
New Jersey
$131,370
$81,110
Maryland
$111,260
$78,520
New York
$106,990
$78,580
Delaware
$103,010
$79,100
Colorado
$102,780
$78,890
Louisiana
$101,170
$77,520
Massachusetts
$100,140
$79,920
Wyoming
$99,200
$90,390
Rhode Island
$98,050
$81,650
Connecticut
$97,460
$83,150
Minnesota
$94,390
$78,550
Alaska
$88,870
$77,960
New Hampshire
$81,070
$79,310
Maine
$81,060
$78,970

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Power Plant Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Power Plant Operators earn more nationally. The median is $102,040 for Power Plant Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $28K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Power Plant Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -11.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Power Plant Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Power Plant Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Power Plant Operators get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Power Plant Operators at $131,620/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Power Plant Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Power Plant Operators earn $131,620 vs. $79,310 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Power Plant Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Power Plant Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a power plant operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →