Power Plant Operator Salary in Boston, MA
Power Plant Operators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $103,900 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,949 take-home, or $6,412 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median power plant operator salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,028
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,442
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,507
- Massachusetts income tax$4,975
- Take-home pay$76,949
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Power Plant Operator pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,550 | $32.96 | $53,847 | $4,487 |
| 25th percentile | $81,440 | $39.15 | $62,271 | $5,189 |
| Median (50th) | $103,900 | $49.95 | $76,949 | $6,412 |
| 75th percentile | $122,860 | $59.07 | $89,318 | $7,443 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,850 | $62.91 | $94,379 | $7,865 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $103,900 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median power plant operator's $76,949 take-home pay has the buying power of $71,074 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.3× the national concentration of power plant operator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for power plant operators, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #4 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $123,540 | $89,735 | $86,621 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $131,770 | $94,597 | $84,039 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $104,620 | $82,430 | $83,576 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $103,900 | $76,949 | $71,074 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $99,000 | $73,268 | $69,897 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,870 | $76,317 | $67,200 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a power plant operator make in Boston, MA?
The median power plant operator salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $103,900 a year, or about $49.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,440 and $122,860.
What is a power plant operator’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $103,900 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $76,949 a year ($6,412 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,975 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a power plant operator?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $102,040. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $71,074 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #4 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a power plant operator afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median power plant operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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