Power Plant Operators Salary
The median pay for a power plant operators in Oregon is $109,830/year ($52.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $145K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.44), that's roughly $107,214 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,555/month, or 23% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oregon. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $110K get you in Oregon?
About power plant operators
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What this looks like in Oregon
Power plant operators pay in Oregon tracks closely to the national median, $110K locally vs. $102K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,555/month, 24.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.44) 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, Oregon
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $110K. Top earners bring in $145K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Power Plant Operators salary by metro in Oregon
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $137K | +25% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track power plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Oregon numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a power plant operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Oregon?
Yes — at the median salary of $110K, rent takes 24.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,555/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for power plant operators in Oregon?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new power plant operators typically earn — is $77K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,604/month. At HUD’s $1,555/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is power plant operator a high-paying job in Oregon?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $110K locally vs. $102K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Oregon compare to the national average for power plant operators?
Oregon pays $110K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s +8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.44), the purchasing-power equivalent is $107K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do power plant operators make in Oregon?
The median is $109,830 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,740, and experienced power plant operators can clear $145,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $110K enough to live in Oregon?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,381/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,555/month, which eats 24.4% 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 Oregon?
Oregon has a Regional Price Parity of 102.44 (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 power plant operators salary is worth about $107,214 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.