EnergyUpdated Q1 2026

Power Plant Operator Salary
in Salt Lake City, UT

Control and monitor the systems that generate electricity at a power plant. Median salary in Salt Lake City: $105K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$105K
per year
Take-home: $69K

Salary range in Salt Lake City

Entry level (25th)$78,000
Median (50th)$105,000
Senior (75th)$130,000
Top earner (90th)$149,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Salt Lake City, Utah. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Salt Lake City

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

8% premium vs national median

Power Plant Operators in Salt Lake City earn approximately 8% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $8,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Salt Lake City's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Salt Lake City's cost-of-living index (105), the median Power Plant Operator salary buys the equivalent of $100,000 in a US-average-cost city. That's $3,000 more purchasing power than the national median β€” a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Rent eats 28% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Salt Lake City ($1,600/mo) consumes approximately 28% of an after-tax median Power Plant Operator salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($130K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Salt Lake City

Median salary
$105K
annual
Take-home pay
$69K
after fed/state tax
COL index
105
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.85%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,600
per month
YoY growth
+0.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Salt Lake City Power Plant Operator to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $105K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Salt Lake City

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Power Plant Operator salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$88K$96K$104K$111K$119K201920212023202520272029
2026
$108K
projected
2027
$110K
projected
2028
$113K
projected
2029
$116K
projected
2030
$119K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$105,000+$0
2028 projected$105,000+$0
2029 projected$105,000+$0
2030 projected$105,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Power Plant Operator Salary in Salt Lake City, Utah: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Power Plant Operator salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $105,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Salt Lake City–UT metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Power Plant Operator in Salt Lake City

Entry-level Power Plant Operators in Salt Lake City with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $78,000 and $105,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $105,000 to $130,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $130,000 to $149,000 or more.

Cost of living in Salt Lake City for Power Plant Operators

Salt Lake City has a cost of living index of 105 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Salt Lake City are close to the national average. Utah has a 4.85% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Power Plant Operator

High school + certification. 0% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Power Plant Operator salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Salt Lake City (current)$105K105
West Valley City$95K98
Provo$102K100
West Jordan$97K100
Orem$95K98