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Power Plant Operators Salary in Charlotte, NC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Power Plant Operators in Charlotte, NC have a median annual salary of $132,030, with 120 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $72,310 at the 10th percentile to $132,040 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$132,030

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$63.48

Employment

120

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$72,310
10th
$102,980
25th
$132,030
Median
$132,040
75th
$132,040
90th

Local compared with national

Charlotte, NC

$132,030

Median annual · 2025

United States

$102,040

Median annual · 2025

The Charlotte, NC median is 29.4% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $29,990).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.9
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.8
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.4
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.3
  6. 6.MonitoringImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.3
  8. 8.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  11. 11.WritingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Continuous emissions monitoring systems CEMS
  • Distributed control system DCS
  • Email software
  • Emerson Ovation
  • Gas field monitoring system software
  • General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS
  • General Electric Mark VI Integrated Control System ICS
  • Interlock shutdown systems
  • Landfill gas analysis software
  • Landtec System Software LFG Pro
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Common tasks

  • Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
  • Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
  • Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
  • Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
  • Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
  • Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
  • Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
  • Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
  • Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
  • Repair or replace gas piping.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Power Plant Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in Charlotte, NC