Power Plant Operators Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
The median pay for a power plant operators in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $136,300/year ($65.53/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $89K at the entry level to $146K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $129,292 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,922/month, or 23.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $136K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About power plant operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $89K. Mid-career wages sit at $136K.Top earners bring in $146K or more - a $57K 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do power plant operators make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $136,300 a year - that works out to about $65.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $89,280, and experienced power plant operators can clear $146,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $136K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,701/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 25% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (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 $129,292 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.