How much do Power Plant Operators make in Longview-Kelso, WA?

Percentile spread

For Power Plant Operators, the published 10th percentile is $84,290 and the 90th percentile is $135,400. The difference is $51,110, which is 54.0% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $85,390 to the 75th at $99,180, covers $13,790.

The mean annual wage is $97,480, which sits above the median of $94,660. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Longview-Kelso, WA median is 7.2% lower than the national median of $102,040 for Power Plant Operators. In 2024 national prices the local median is $97,042, which is 4.9% lower than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 28.1% lower than the Washington median of $131,620.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Longview-Kelso, WA is 97.545, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $94,660 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Power Plant Operators at $97,042 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

3 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Power Plant Operators. Longview-Kelso, WA ranks 4th of 4 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 42 miles away, with a median of $137,030. That median is 44.8% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $129,984, against $97,042 here.
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 98 miles away, with a median of $124,950 and employment of 90. That median is 32% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $112,433, against $97,042 here.
• Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA is 157 miles away, with a median of $145,510 and employment of 70. That median is 53.7% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $140,109, against $97,042 here.