How much does a power plant operator make in Charleston?
$79,900a year
Median yearly pay for power plant operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $38.41 an hour or $6,658 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.41
- Vs. national median
- -22%
- Rank among cities
- 95 of 113
- Jobs in the area
- 150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $57,240Median: $79,900Highest 10%: $100,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,240 | $27.52 | |
| 25th | $65,830 | $31.65 | |
| Median | $79,900 | $38.41 | |
| 75th | $89,190 | $42.88 | |
| 90th | $100,200 | $48.17 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for power plant operators.
| Charlotte, NC | $132,000 |
| Augusta, GA | $113,500 |
| Greenville, SC | $81,580 |
| Columbia, SC | $79,600 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $79,990 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $76,710 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $74,320 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operator | $67,540 |
| Coating | $62,280 |
| Machinist | $59,280 |
| Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender | $57,410 |
| Welder | $56,060 |
| Metal Worker and Plastic Worker | $52,180 |
| Grinding | $51,930 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $38.41 ($79,900 a year).
Do power plant operators make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $79,900 against $102,000 nationally, 22% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $79,900, so Charleston pays 0% more.
Where does Charleston rank for power plant operator pay?
95 of 113 metro areas with data.
How much does a power plant operator make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $57,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $100,200 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.