Power Plant Operators Salary in Decatur, AL
The median pay for a power plant operators in Decatur, AL is $108,040/year ($51.94/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $121K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.21), which stretches that salary to about $123,885 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $961/month, or 14.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $108K get you in Decatur?
About power plant operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Decatur, AL
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $108K.Top earners bring in $121K or more - a $51K spread from bottom to top.
Power Plant Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $124K | +24% | 570 |
| New York | $122K | +22% | 2,350 |
| Hawaii | $115K | +16% | 430 |
| Oregon | $115K | +15% | 200 |
| New Jersey | $110K | +10% | 210 |
| North Dakota | $109K | +10% | 170 |
| Tennessee | $107K | +8% | 550 |
| Arizona | $107K | +8% | 890 |
| Nevada | $107K | +7% | 390 |
| Maryland | $106K | +7% | 310 |
| California | $106K | +6% | 2,390 |
| South Dakota | $105K | +6% | 40 |
| Wyoming | $105K | +6% | 210 |
| Michigan | $104K | +4% | 1,200 |
| Utah | $104K | +4% | 340 |
Track power plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Decatur numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in Decatur, AL?
The median is $108,040 a year - that works out to about $51.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $69,630, and experienced power plant operators can clear $120,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $108K enough to live in Decatur?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,596/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $961/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 14.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a power plant operators salary go in Decatur?
Decatur has a Regional Price Parity of 87.21 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median power plant operators salary is worth about $123,885 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do power plant operators 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.