Plant and System Operators, All Other Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a plant and system operators, all other in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $81,930/year ($39.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $75,248 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 43.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $82K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About plant and system operators, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level plant and system operators, all others (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K.Top earners bring in $90K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Plant and System Operators, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $83K | +35% | 220 |
| Washington | $82K | +33% | 150 |
| Maryland | $80K | +30% | 260 |
| Montana | $79K | +28% | 200 |
| Alaska | $79K | +27% | 40 |
| Kentucky | $78K | +26% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $75K | +21% | 380 |
| California | $74K | +20% | 2,000 |
| Kansas | $73K | +19% | 50 |
| New York | $72K | +17% | 340 |
| West Virginia | $71K | +15% | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $70K | +13% | 90 |
| Nevada | $69K | +12% | 230 |
| Indiana | $69K | +11% | 330 |
| Michigan | $67K | +9% | 330 |
Track plant and system operators, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do plant and system operators, all others make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $81,930 a year - that works out to about $39.39 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,290, and experienced plant and system operators, all others can clear $90,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,158/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.5% 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-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $75,248 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.