Top 15 cities for plant and system operators, all other by average salary
| Sacramento, CA | $95,910 |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | $94,340 |
| Duluth, MN | $91,550 |
| San Jose, CA | $89,220 |
| San Francisco, CA | $88,310 |
| Reno, NV | $87,730 |
| Seattle, WA | $87,230 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $85,680 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $82,380 |
| Washington, DC | $81,290 |
| Chicago, IL | $79,240 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,610 |
| Billings, MT | $77,280 |
| Gulfport, MS | $77,280 |
| San Diego, CA | $76,990 |
Map: Plant and System Operators, All Other salary by metro area
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Plant and System Operators, All Other salary by state
Massachusetts pays other plant and system operators the most statewide, $113,290 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $113,290 | $120,660 | 40 | 1 | $74,600 | $74,600 |
| Minnesota | $88,800 | $88,290 | 200 | 2 | $91,550 | $85,680 |
| Washington | $88,240 | $88,730 | 190 | 1 | $87,230 | $87,230 |
| Nevada | $85,550 | $80,000 | 150 | 2 | $94,340 | $87,730 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $81,290 | $81,290 |
| Maryland | $80,880 | $81,890 | 270 | 1 | $74,790 | $74,790 |
| California | $80,220 | $78,020 | 1,560 | 9 | $95,910 | $62,770 |
| Iowa | $78,080 | $75,800 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wyoming | $77,270 | $66,770 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | $77,100 | $81,340 | 170 | 1 | $77,280 | $77,280 |
| Illinois | $76,620 | $77,780 | 230 | 1 | $79,240 | $79,240 |
| Oklahoma | $73,690 | $74,240 | 80 | 1 | $70,600 | $70,600 |
| New York | $73,500 | $74,700 | 310 | 1 | $73,740 | $73,740 |
| Michigan | $73,470 | $64,690 | 250 | 1 | $70,800 | $70,800 |
| Kansas | $73,350 | $74,190 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | $73,260 | $69,430 | 30 | 1 | $75,560 | $75,560 |
| Oregon | $71,310 | $71,900 | 140 | 1 | $72,560 | $72,560 |
| Mississippi | $70,970 | $65,080 | 140 | 1 | $77,280 | $77,280 |
| Utah | $70,180 | $67,910 | 180 | 1 | $63,350 | $63,350 |
| Louisiana | $69,970 | $62,630 | 350 | 1 | $52,470 | $52,470 |
| New Jersey | $69,900 | $69,970 | 290 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $69,630 | $70,490 | 280 | 1 | $68,390 | $68,390 |
| Connecticut | $69,590 | $68,950 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $69,010 | $61,940 | 180 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | $69,000 | $69,260 | 150 | 1 | $68,010 | $68,010 |
| New Hampshire | $68,800 | $64,030 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia | $67,080 | $70,660 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Idaho | $66,640 | $61,690 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $65,150 | $64,140 | 340 | 4 | $73,580 | $64,110 |
| Wisconsin | $64,500 | $62,800 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee | $64,150 | $60,240 | 150 | 2 | $68,310 | $57,970 |
| North Carolina | $63,920 | $61,190 | 220 | 2 | $60,170 | $59,910 |
| New Mexico | $61,750 | $55,710 | 120 | 1 | $51,960 | $51,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,280 | $50,840 | 620 | 3 | $66,820 | $51,980 |
| Maine | $59,200 | $62,270 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $58,320 | $56,060 | 150 | 1 | $66,310 | $66,310 |
| Colorado | $57,840 | $51,600 | 1,050 | 5 | $71,640 | $49,540 |
| Alabama | $57,530 | $51,690 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $57,420 | $50,820 | 3,570 | 12 | $73,780 | $41,230 |
| South Dakota | $56,320 | $57,430 | 190 | 2 | $62,250 | $55,390 |
| Florida | $55,950 | $50,910 | 590 | 4 | $60,890 | $52,810 |
| Nebraska | $55,490 | $48,220 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $54,210 | $51,560 | 380 | 1 | $68,360 | $68,360 |
| Arkansas | $49,610 | $46,020 | 120 | 1 | $51,360 | $51,360 |
| Georgia | $49,210 | $44,670 | 240 | 1 | $47,060 | $47,060 |
| Puerto Rico | $41,880 | $38,850 | 70 | 1 | $40,800 | $40,800 |
Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $95,910 | $94,420 | $46.11 | 90 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $94,340 | $83,870 | $45.35 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN | $91,550 | $88,290 | $44.01 | 40 |
| San Jose, CA | $89,220 | $85,590 | $42.89 | 30 |
| San Francisco, CA | $88,310 | $91,310 | $42.46 | 230 |
| Reno, NV | $87,730 | $92,870 | $42.18 | 40 |
| Seattle, WA | $87,230 | $85,300 | $41.94 | 60 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $85,680 | $84,390 | $41.19 | 100 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $82,380 | $81,660 | $39.61 | 40 |
| Washington, DC | $81,290 | $83,760 | $39.08 | 380 |
| Chicago, IL | $79,240 | $80,660 | $38.09 | 160 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,610 | $77,130 | $37.80 | 400 |
| Billings, MT | $77,280 | $83,530 | $37.16 | 50 |
| Gulfport, MS | $77,280 | $77,290 | $37.16 | n/a |
| San Diego, CA | $76,990 | $77,330 | $37.02 | 150 |
| Riverside, CA | $76,250 | $80,430 | $36.66 | 270 |
| Louisville, KY | $75,560 | $71,800 | $36.33 | 30 |
| Baltimore, MD | $74,790 | $78,350 | $35.96 | 70 |
| Boston, MA | $74,600 | $64,030 | $35.87 | 110 |
| Midland, TX | $73,780 | $60,100 | $35.47 | 40 |
| New York, NY | $73,740 | $78,500 | $35.45 | 290 |
| Dayton, OH | $73,580 | $66,170 | $35.38 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $73,400 | $67,180 | $35.29 | 30 |
| Portland, OR | $72,560 | $73,540 | $34.88 | 80 |
| Boulder, CO | $71,640 | $57,500 | $34.44 | 30 |
| Detroit, MI | $70,800 | $61,790 | $34.04 | 90 |
| Tulsa, OK | $70,600 | $68,950 | $33.94 | 40 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $69,960 | $70,820 | $33.64 | 70 |
| Cleveland, OH | $69,670 | $67,340 | $33.50 | 40 |
| Columbus, OH | $69,030 | $68,690 | $33.19 | 30 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $68,390 | $72,780 | $32.88 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO | $68,360 | $69,910 | $32.87 | 90 |
| Nashville, TN | $68,310 | $60,240 | $32.84 | 30 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $68,010 | $68,850 | $32.70 | 40 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,820 | $67,760 | $32.13 | 170 |
| Columbia, SC | $66,310 | $70,620 | $31.88 | 40 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $64,110 | $67,390 | $30.82 | 60 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $63,350 | $62,470 | $30.46 | 60 |
| Oxnard, CA | $62,770 | $45,930 | $30.18 | 70 |
| Rapid City, SD | $62,250 | $62,190 | $29.93 | 30 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $62,000 | $61,840 | $29.81 | 90 |
| Miami, FL | $60,890 | $55,830 | $29.27 | 130 |
| Charlotte, NC | $60,170 | $61,200 | $28.93 | 60 |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,910 | $61,110 | $28.80 | 50 |
| Houston, TX | $59,800 | $53,200 | $28.75 | 780 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,430 | $50,720 | $28.57 | 1,010 |
| Waco, TX | $59,100 | $52,450 | $28.41 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $58,800 | $50,840 | $28.27 | 210 |
| Austin, TX | $58,700 | $55,790 | $28.22 | 210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,970 | $54,910 | $27.87 | 30 |
| Tampa, FL | $57,760 | $51,980 | $27.77 | 110 |
| Longview, TX | $57,530 | $49,180 | $27.66 | 40 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,790 | $51,210 | $26.82 | 230 |
| Denver, CO | $55,780 | $48,550 | $26.82 | 480 |
| Orlando, FL | $55,420 | $53,370 | $26.64 | 70 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $55,390 | $60,650 | $26.63 | 60 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $52,810 | $43,810 | $25.39 | 30 |
| New Orleans, LA | $52,470 | $49,000 | $25.22 | 90 |
| Allentown, PA | $51,980 | $43,130 | $24.99 | 40 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $51,960 | $49,230 | $24.98 | 50 |
| Sherman, TX | $51,420 | $44,110 | $24.72 | 30 |
| Little Rock, AR | $51,360 | $48,330 | $24.69 | 30 |
| Greeley, CO | $49,540 | $46,860 | $23.82 | 110 |
| Killeen, TX | $49,280 | $50,190 | $23.69 | 40 |
| Atlanta, GA | $47,060 | $44,020 | $22.62 | 100 |
| Amarillo, TX | $44,510 | $38,840 | $21.40 | 40 |
| Tyler, TX | $43,610 | $40,710 | $20.97 | 30 |
| El Paso, TX | $41,230 | $38,020 | $19.82 | 60 |
| San Juan, PR | $40,800 | $38,850 | $19.62 | 60 |
Related jobs
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System OperatorsU.S. average $62,540
- Power Plant OperatorsU.S. average $99,790
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsU.S. average $83,960
- Chemical Plant and System OperatorsU.S. average $79,970
- Power Distributors and DispatchersU.S. average $111,320
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersU.S. average $90,630
- Gas Plant OperatorsU.S. average $88,710
- Nuclear Power Reactor OperatorsU.S. average $121,380
Plant and System Operators, All Other salary: questions
Where do other plant and system operators make the most money?
In Sacramento, CA, with an average of $95,910 a year, among the 69 metro areas we cover.
What is the average other plant and system operators salary in the U.S.?
$65,700 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $62,470, so half of other plant and system operators earn more than that and half less.
What salary should other plant and system operators ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of other plant and system operators nationwide earn between $48,900 (25th percentile) and $78,480 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays other plant and system operators the most?
Massachusetts, with a statewide average of $113,290 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is other plant and system operators pay the lowest?
San Juan, PR, at $40,800 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-8099.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.