How much do Power Plant Operators make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

Percentile spread

For Power Plant Operators, the published 10th percentile is $103,150 and the 90th percentile is $153,790. The difference is $50,640, which is 37.0% 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 $109,800 to the 75th at $143,160, covers $33,360.

The mean annual wage is $128,530, which sits below the median of $137,030. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA median is 34.3% higher than the national median of $102,040 for Power Plant Operators. In 2024 national prices the local median is $129,984, which is 27.4% higher than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 24.8% higher than the Oregon median of $109,830.

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA covers more than one state. The state comparison uses Oregon, the primary state on the BLS area record.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 105.421, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $137,030 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Power Plant Operators at $129,984 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. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ranks 2nd 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).).

• Longview-Kelso, WA is 42 miles away, with a median of $94,660. That median is 30.9% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $97,042, against $129,984 here.
• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 134 miles away, with a median of $124,950 and employment of 90. That median is 8.8% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $112,433, against $129,984 here.
• Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA is 183 miles away, with a median of $145,510 and employment of 70. That median is 6.2% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $140,109, against $129,984 here.