Prevailing Wage for Power Plant Operators
Prevailing wages for Power Plant Operators are set by DOL using four experience levels, from entry-level Auxiliary Operator roles through senior Control Room Operator positions. Whether you're filing as a Control Operator or a Multicraft Operator, the wage floor varies significantly by worksite city, so location matters as much as level.
See all jobs for Power Plant OperatorsLook up your work address
Entry-level candidates with limited plant operations experience, typically working under direct supervision on routine auxiliary tasks. DOL assigns Level 1 to roles requiring orientation-level knowledge, no independent judgment on complex system controls, and minimal prior industry exposure.
Operators with one to three years of experience who can independently monitor control panels and respond to standard system events. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Power Plant Operators, reflecting journeyman-stage competency across core generation and auxiliary systems.
Experienced operators who handle complex or non-routine situations with limited supervision. Level 3 applies to candidates who coordinate across multiple control systems, mentor junior operators, and bring several years of demonstrated plant operations or shift leadership experience.
Fully competent senior operators or lead control room personnel who set procedures, train staff, and exercise independent judgment across all plant systems. Employers filing at Level 4 typically require extensive multi-unit or high-capacity plant experience and advanced certifications.
Prevailing Wage for Power Plant Operators by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Power Plant Operators
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Power Plant Operators and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Power Plant Operators
Verify your filing level before signing
Power plant employers frequently file H-1B petitions at Level 1 or Level 2 even when the role involves shift lead duties or multi-unit control responsibilities. Confirm the wage level on the Labor Condition Application matches your actual scope, not just your title.
Factor out bonuses when comparing offers
Signing bonuses and performance-based incentives common in utility and generation roles cannot substitute for the prevailing wage base. Your guaranteed annual salary must clear the DOL floor independently, regardless of bonus structure or shift-differential pay.
Watch the wage gap between Pacific and Southern metros
Prevailing wages for this occupation swing dramatically by region. Pacific Northwest and California metro areas set floors well above the national median, while markets like Puerto Rico and Missouri metro areas sit far below. Your worksite city on the LCA determines which floor applies.
Use Migrate Mate to find proven sponsors
Utilities and independent power producers vary widely in H-1B sponsorship activity. Migrate Mate shows historical visa sponsorship counts by employer, so you can identify which generation companies have actually sponsored Power Plant Operator roles before committing to a job search.
Jobs for Power Plant Operators are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Power Plant OperatorsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-8013.00 alongside Power Plant Operators, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Auxiliary Operator Prevailing Wage
Auxiliary Operator Prevailing Wage
Auxiliary Operator positions fall under SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Control Operator Prevailing Wage
Control Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Control Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Control Room Operator Prevailing Wage
Control Room Operator Prevailing Wage
Control Room Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Multicraft Operator (MCO) Prevailing Wage
Multicraft Operator (MCO) Prevailing Wage
Multicraft Operator (MCO) positions fall under SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech) Prevailing Wage
Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Plant Control Operator Prevailing Wage
Plant Control Operator Prevailing Wage
Plant Control Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Plant Operator Prevailing Wage
Plant Operator Prevailing Wage
Plant Operator positions fall under SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Station Operator Prevailing Wage
Station Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Station Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Unit Operator Prevailing Wage
Unit Operator Prevailing Wage
Unit Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Power Plant Operators?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Power Plant Operators using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from employer surveys in each metropolitan area. OFLC then publishes four wage levels tied to experience and complexity. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that they will pay at least the applicable prevailing wage for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify which applies to me?
Level 1 applies to entry-level operators under close supervision. Level 2 reflects independent journeyman-stage operators and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 covers experienced operators handling complex systems with limited oversight. Level 4 applies to senior or lead control room personnel. Your level should match your actual job duties, years of relevant experience, and supervisory responsibilities, not just the job title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
DOL derives wages from regional OES surveys, which capture local employer pay practices in each metropolitan statistical area. Areas with concentrated utility infrastructure and higher labor costs, such as Pacific Coast metros, produce higher survey benchmarks. Employers must use the prevailing wage for the specific worksite listed on the LCA, not a national average, so a Control Room Operator in Seattle faces a very different floor than one in a lower-cost market.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
DOL will not certify a Labor Condition Application where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the worksite and level. Without a certified LCA, USCIS cannot approve the H-1B petition. If a deficiency is discovered after filing, the employer may face back-wage liability and debarment from future sponsorship. Candidates should verify the offered salary clears the applicable floor before the LCA is submitted.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up prevailing wages by SOC code 51-8013 and metropolitan area. Select the wage year that matches the intended filing period, since DOL updates these figures annually. You can also cross-reference BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data for the relevant metro. Migrate Mate lists Power Plant Operator roles from employers with verified sponsorship history, giving you a starting point for evaluating whether posted salaries align with the prevailing wage floor for your target location.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Power Plant Operators right now.
Search Jobs for Power Plant Operators