Plant and System Operators, All Other Salary
The median pay for a plant and system operators, all other in Washington is $88,730/year ($42.66/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $86,982 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 30.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in Washington?
About plant and system operators, all others
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for plant and system operators, all other, local pay runs about 42% higher than the U.S. median of $62K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level plant and system operators, all others (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Plant and System Operators, All Other salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $85K | -4% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track plant and system operators, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a plant and system operators, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 31% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for plant and system operators, all others in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new plant and system operators, all others typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,303/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is plant and system operators, all other a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 42% above the national median — $89K here vs. $62K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for plant and system operators, all others?
Washington pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $62K — that’s +42%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $87K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do plant and system operators, all others make in Washington?
The median is $88,730 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,720, and experienced plant and system operators, all others can clear $105,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,901/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 31% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a plant and system operators, all other salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median plant and system operators, all other salary is worth about $86,982 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do plant and system operators, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.