How much does a power plant operator make in Columbia?
$79,600a year
Median yearly pay for power plant operators in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $38.27 an hour or $6,633 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.27
- Vs. national median
- -22%
- Rank among cities
- 96 of 113
- Jobs in the area
- 150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,450Median: $79,600Highest 10%: $98,470
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,450 | $30.99 | |
| 25th | $67,640 | $32.52 | |
| Median | $79,600 | $38.27 | |
| 75th | $94,320 | $45.35 | |
| 90th | $98,470 | $47.34 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for power plant operators.
| Charlotte, NC | $132,000 |
| Augusta, GA | $113,500 |
| Greenville, SC | $81,580 |
| Charleston, SC | $79,900 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Columbia, SCFrequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $38.27 ($79,600 a year).
Do power plant operators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $79,600 against $102,000 nationally, 22% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $79,900, so Columbia pays 0% more.
Where does Columbia rank for power plant operator pay?
96 of 113 metro areas with data.
How much does a power plant operator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,450 or less a year; the top 10% make $98,470 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.