Power Plant Operators

SOC 51-8013

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

Five-year wage trends

Median wage levels across states

Focus level

Level III median wage up 22.4% since 2020-21.

2026 weighted lottery impact

Thresholds for Level III & IV

Level III threshold: $93,226

Level IV threshold: $106,548

Most common level in filings: Level II

Latest Level III median

2025-26

$93,226

Level I$66,519

Level II$80,008

Level III$93,226

Level IV$106,548

Top metros by Level III wages

Latest year median for this occupation

Rank	Metro Area	Level I	Level II	Level III	Level IV
1	Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA, WA	$121,493	$132,371	$143,270	$154,149
2	Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, CA	$86,757	$114,088	$141,419	$168,750
3	Yuba City, CA, CA	$86,070	$110,490	$134,930	$159,349
4	Vallejo, CA, CA	$84,822	$108,410	$131,976	$155,563
5	Napa, CA, CA	$75,150	$102,461	$129,771	$157,082
6	Fresno, CA, CA	$80,018	$104,395	$128,794	$153,171
7	Albany, OR, OR	$100,547	$114,629	$128,731	$142,813
8	Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA, WA	$96,928	$112,258	$127,587	$142,917
9	Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, WA	$93,038	$110,074	$127,088	$144,123
10	Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, OR	$96,221	$110,510	$124,779	$139,069

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