How much does a power plant operator make in Tennessee?
$115,900a year
Median yearly pay for power plant operators in Tennessee. That is $55.73 an hour or $9,660 a month.
- Hourly
- $55.73
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among states
- 7 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 490
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $68,060Median: $115,900Highest 10%: $125,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $68,060 | $32.72 | |
| 25th | $105,400 | $50.66 | |
| Median | $115,900 | $55.73 | |
| 75th | $124,400 | $59.79 | |
| 90th | $125,700 | $60.43 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Memphis, TN | $119,100 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $115,900 |
| Knoxville, TN | $115,900 |
| Nashville, TN | $105,400 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for power plant operators.
| 4. Idaho | $124,400 |
| 5. North Dakota | $122,200 |
| 6. Hawaii | $121,700 |
| 7. Tennessee | $115,900 |
| 8. Maryland | $111,300 |
| 9. Oregon | $109,800 |
| 10. North Carolina | $108,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $55.73 ($115,900 a year).
Do power plant operators make more in Tennessee than the national average?
Yes: $115,900 against $102,000 nationally, 14% more.
Where does Tennessee rank for power plant operator pay?
Tennessee ranks 7 of 49 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays power plant operators the most?
Memphis, TN-MS-AR, with a median of $119,100 a year.
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.