Power Plant Operator Salary in Minneapolis, MN
Power Plant Operators in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area earn a median $99,000 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,268 take-home, or $6,106 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median power plant operator salary in Minneapolis, MN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,950
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,138
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,436
- Minnesota income tax$5,209
- Take-home pay$73,268
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.80% state
The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro spans Minnesota, Wisconsin. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Power Plant Operator pay by experience in Minneapolis, MN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,420 | $35.78 | $57,647 | $4,804 |
| 25th percentile | $79,650 | $38.29 | $60,971 | $5,081 |
| Median (50th) | $99,000 | $47.60 | $73,268 | $6,106 |
| 75th percentile | $117,560 | $56.52 | $85,063 | $7,089 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,000 | $60.58 | $90,329 | $7,527 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Minnesota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,000 buys in Minneapolis, MN
Prices in Minneapolis, MN are 4.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median power plant operator's $73,268 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,897 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Minneapolis, MN 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
Minneapolis, MN ranks #5 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 Minneapolis, MN?
The median power plant operator salary in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area is $99,000 a year, or about $47.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,650 and $117,560.
What is a power plant operator’s take-home pay in Minneapolis, MN?
On the median $99,000 salary, a single filer living in Minnesota takes home about $73,268 a year ($6,106 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,209 in Minnesota taxes in 2026.
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place to work as a power plant operator?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $102,040. Local prices are 4.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,897 would in a typical U.S. city. Minneapolis, MN ranks #5 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a power plant operator afford rent in Minneapolis, MN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Minneapolis, MN is $1,396 a month ($1,700 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median power plant operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Minneapolis, MN
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- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer — $78,010
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- Tool and Die Maker — $74,840
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- Machinist — $62,070
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