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Power Plant Operator

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AVG. SALARY

$83,570

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EDUCATION

High school preferred +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Decreasing

Money & Outlook

:

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West Virginia Earnings

Average Annual Wage

$83,570

Entry Annual Wage

$47,830

Experienced Annual Wage

$110,040

Average Hourly Wage

$40.18

Entry Hourly Wage

$22.99

Experienced Hourly Wage

$52.91

Median Hourly Wage

$41.51

West Virginia Regional Earnings

West Virginia Metropolitan Areas Wages

Region Average Entry Level Experienced
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV $98,810 or $47.51/hr $62,870 or $30.23/hr $126,290 or $60.72/hr

West Virginia Geographical Areas Wages

Region Average Entry Level Experienced
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area N/A N/A N/A

West Virginia's Employment and Outlook (State-wide)

Outlook Decreasing
Growth rate is estimated to be -16%
Job Openings 23 estimated annual job openings
Employment 330 were employed in this occupation

National Earnings

Average Annual Wage

$88,960

Average Hourly Wage

$42.77

Average Annual Range

$52,000 to $119,880

Note: variations in salaries reflect differences in size of firm, location, level of education and professional credentials.

Where do these numbers come from?


National Employment and Outlook

Outlook decreasing
  The employment change from 2021 to 2031 is estimated to be -16%.
(The National average for all occupations is +5%)
Job Openings very small number
  Less than 1000 average annual openings are expected for this occupation between 2021 and 2031.
(The National Average for all occupations is 1,757 openings)
Employment small occupation
  This was a small occupation in the United States, employing 29,200 workers in 2021.
(The National average for all occupations is 142,207 workers)
Growth Declining growth
  Power plants are becoming more efficient and, in many cases, have higher electricity-generating capacity. Modernized control rooms in power plants will also provide workers with more information and automate some tasks. As a result, power plant operators will be more efficient, which limits the opportunity for new jobs. 
Industries Large concentrations of this occupation are found in these industries
  • Utilities (NAICS220000) (70.9%)
  • Electric power generation, transmission and distribution (NAICS221100) (68.1%)
  • Electric Power Generation (NAICS221110) (51.7%)
  • Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation (NAICS221112) (39.3%)
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals (12.6%)
  • Hydroelectric Power Generation (NAICS221111) (6.1%)