CDCareer Decision

Power Plant Operators Salary in Chattanooga, TN

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Power Plant Operators in Chattanooga, TN have a median annual salary of $115,920, with 60 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $60,210 at the 10th percentile to $134,990 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

$115,920

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$55.73

Employment

60

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$60,210
10th
$61,110
25th
$115,920
Median
$121,720
75th
$134,990
90th

Local compared with national

Chattanooga, TN

$115,920

Median annual · 2025

United States

$102,040

Median annual · 2025

The Chattanooga, TN median is 13.6% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $13,880).

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 Chattanooga, TN