Power Plant Operators Salary
The median pay for a power plant operators in Vermont is $78,240/year ($37.62/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.95), that's roughly $77,504 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,498/month, or 29.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Vermont. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Vermont?
About power plant operators
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What this looks like in Vermont
Pay for power plant operators in Vermont runs about 23% below the U.S. median of $102K. Rent runs $1,498/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.95) 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, Vermont
Entry-level power plant operators (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $128K or more, a $79K spread from bottom to top.
Power Plant Operators salary by metro in Vermont
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | $98K | +25% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track power plant operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Vermont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a power plant operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Vermont?
Yes — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 29.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,498/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for power plant operators in Vermont?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new power plant operators typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,947/month. At HUD’s $1,498/month FMR, rent would take 51% 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 Vermont?
Local pay runs 23% below the national median — $78K here vs. $102K nationally.
How does Vermont compare to the national average for power plant operators?
Vermont pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s -23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.95), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — below the national median.
How much do power plant operators make in Vermont?
The median is $78,240 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,110, and experienced power plant operators can clear $127,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Vermont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,059/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,498/month, which eats 29.6% 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 Vermont?
Vermont has a Regional Price Parity of 100.95 (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 $77,504 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.