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Salary comparison

Power Plant Operators vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Power Plant Operatorss out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by $57K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Power Plant Operatorss land at $102,040 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss at $44,650. The education gap is real: power plant operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Power Plant Operatorss is Washington ($131,620); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Power Plant Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$102,040
$44,650
Hourly rate
$49.06/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$61,790
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$131,940
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
29,320
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
District of Columbia

Pay by state

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

State
Power Plant Operators
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Washington
$131,620
$48,260
Nevada
$131,400
$49,050
North Dakota
$122,160
$47,250
Hawaii
$121,700
$49,630
Oregon
$109,830
$46,910
California
$105,210
$47,720
Colorado
$102,780
$46,150
Missouri
$101,900
$46,480
Iowa
$100,500
$48,920
Massachusetts
$100,140
$46,720
Minnesota
$94,390
$46,920
Kentucky
$93,400
$47,950
Alaska
$88,870
$49,390
New Hampshire
$81,070
$46,940
Maine
$81,060
$45,970

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Power Plant Operatorss or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss?

Power Plant Operatorss earn more nationally. The median is $102,040 for Power Plant Operatorss versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss, a difference of $57K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Power Plant Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Power Plant Operators or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Power Plant Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Power Plant Operatorss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Power Plant Operatorss 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. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Power Plant Operatorss earn $131,620 vs. $48,260 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Power Plant Operators salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Power Plant Operatorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricatorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a power plant operatorsGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →