As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for an Utility Plant Operator I in the United States is $69,600. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $54,507 to a high of $91,188, with most professionals earning between $61,700 and $80,900.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,900 | $6,742 | $1,556 | $39 |
| Average | $69,600 | $5,800 | $1,338 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,700 | $5,142 | $1,187 | $30 |
An entry-level Utility Plant Operator I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $69,010. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $70,781. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $72,467. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $72,973, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $73,310.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Utility Plant Operator I | $69,010 |
| Intermediate Level Utility Plant Operator I | $70,781 |
| Senior Level Utility Plant Operator I | $72,467 |
| Specialist Level Utility Plant Operator I | $72,973 |
| Expert Level Utility Plant Operator I | $73,310 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 2% |
| Senior Level | 4% |
| Top Level | 5% |
| Experienced | 5% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Utility Plant Operator I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $65,898 in 2023 to approximately $65,759 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Utility Plant Operator I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Utility Plant Operator I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Utility Plant Operator I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Utility Plant Operator I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $69,600 | 70.0% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $5,324 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,784 | 2.8% | ||
| Disability | $696 | 0.7% | ||
| Healthcare | $7,986 | 8.0% | ||
| Pension | $4,454 | 4.5% | ||
| Time Off | $8,566 | 8.6% | ||
| Total Compensation | $99,411 | 100% | ||
A Utility Plant Operator in the USA earns between $61,100 and $89,700 annually, with a median salary of approximately $72,900. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on industry data, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this role.
Utility Plant Operators in the US earn between $61,100 and $89,700 annually, with a median salary of $72,900. This reflects a more competitive salary range compared to general utility workers, whose average annual salary is around $38,319.
The highest paying labor jobs in the U.S. include roles such as air traffic controller, construction manager, and power plant operator. For instance, a Utility Plant Operator can expect a salary ranging from $61,100 to $89,700, with a median salary of $72,900. Other notable positions include elevator installers, ranchers, and police officers.
The highest salary for a Utility Plant Operator is $89,700 per year. Salary estimates indicate that the range for this position typically falls between $61,100 and $72,900, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the role.
Utility Plant Operators earn an annual salary ranging from $61,100 to $89,700, with a median salary of $72,900. In comparison, 911 Dispatchers in Los Angeles have an average salary of $57,174, with top earners making around $81,890. This highlights the competitive pay for Utility Plant Operators in the industry.
Plant operators typically work full time, often exceeding 40 hours per week. They usually operate on rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts. The salary for Utility Plant Operators ranges from a minimum of $61,100 to a maximum of $89,700, with a mid-range salary of $72,900.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
