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Generator operator salary
Average generator operator salary
$15.14
Understanding Generator Operator Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Generator Operator stands at $31,481 per year or about $15 per hour. Salaries can differ significantly based on factors such as geographic location, experience level, and industry sector. For instance, Generator Operators in high-demand states often earn more due to regional economic conditions.
Salary Variations by State
States with the highest average salaries for Generator Operators include:
- California: $40,000
- Texas: $35,000
- New York: $34,500
These figures illustrate the impact of state economies on salaries. Additionally, experience plays a critical role; those with more years in the field can expect higher compensation. Entry-level positions may start lower, but opportunities for advancement are available.
Factors Influencing Salary
Other factors that can affect a Generator Operator's salary include specialized certifications and the type of employer, whether in public utilities or private sectors. As the demand for reliable energy sources grows, so do the opportunities and potential earnings in this essential career.
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Where can a Generator Operator earn more?
Generator operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level generator operator | $13,000 | $6.23 |
| Mid-level generator operator | $20,000 | $9.63 |
| Senior-level generator operator | $36,300 | $17.46 |
Generator operator salary estimates from across the web
Average generator operator salary by state
The average generator operator salary in New York, Washington, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average generator operator salary states are South Carolina, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for generator operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $36,808 | $17.70 |
| 2 | Wisconsin | $36,596 | $17.59 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $33,882 | $16.29 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $34,891 | $16.77 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $31,985 | $15.38 |
| 6 | Maryland | $33,348 | $16.03 |
| 7 | Illinois | $34,254 | $16.47 |
| 8 | South Dakota | $33,242 | $15.98 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $32,969 | $15.85 |
| 10 | New York | $38,861 | $18.68 |
| 11 | Washington | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $29,814 | $14.33 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $29,049 | $13.97 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $31,935 | $15.35 |
| 15 | Michigan | $29,004 | $13.94 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $27,984 | $13.45 |
| 17 | Colorado | $33,469 | $16.09 |
| 18 | Missouri | $28,913 | $13.90 |
| 19 | Maine | $28,240 | $13.58 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $26,391 | $12.69 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $26,300 | $12.64 |
| 22 | Ohio | $25,717 | $12.36 |
| 23 | Alabama | $27,098 | $13.03 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $28,553 | $13.73 |
| 25 | California | $31,425 | $15.11 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $26,879 | $12.92 |
| 27 | Indiana | $25,001 | $12.02 |
| 28 | Virginia | $28,981 | $13.93 |
| 29 | Nevada | $26,451 | $12.72 |
| 30 | Iowa | $25,109 | $12.07 |
| 31 | Delaware | $28,234 | $13.57 |
| 32 | Texas | $26,562 | $12.77 |
| 33 | Utah | $25,331 | $12.18 |
| 34 | Oregon | $26,823 | $12.90 |
| 35 | Kansas | $25,380 | $12.20 |
| 36 | Idaho | $26,089 | $12.54 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $24,113 | $11.59 |
| 38 | Georgia | $22,553 | $10.84 |
| 39 | Arizona | $23,881 | $11.48 |
| 40 | Montana | $24,814 | $11.93 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $23,506 | $11.30 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $22,666 | $10.90 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $21,845 | $10.50 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $24,074 | $11.57 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $22,068 | $10.61 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $18,341 | $8.82 |
| 47 | Vermont | $23,521 | $11.31 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $21,860 | $10.51 |
| 50 | Florida | $19,974 | $9.60 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $21,930 | $10.54 |
Highest paying cities for generator operators
The highest-paying cities for generator operators are Lawrence, MA, Hagerstown, MD, and Cary, NC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawrence, MA | $33,933 | $16.31 |
| 2 | Hagerstown, MD | $33,611 | $16.16 |
| 3 | Cary, NC | $29,110 | $14.00 |
| 4 | Troy, OH | $25,511 | $12.26 |
Generator operator salary details
A generator operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a generator operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $31,481 | $2,623 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying generator operator jobs
The highest paying types of generator operators are operations director, district manager, and senior operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District Manager | $96,909 | $8,076 | $46.59 | 373,525 |
| Manager | $58,651 | $4,888 | $28.20 | 1,236,194 |
| Service Manager | $74,009 | $6,167 | $35.58 | 341,785 |
| Customer Service Manager | $61,487 | $5,124 | $29.56 | 313,110 |
| Store Manager | $46,950 | $3,912 | $22.57 | 446,127 |
| Owner/Manager | $75,822 | $6,318 | $36.45 | 303,790 |
Top companies hiring generator operators now:
Which companies pay generator operators the most?
Generator operator salaries at Siemens and Sandvik Coromant are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average generator operator salary at companies like Siemens Healthineers and Volt Information Sciences are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siemens | $37,729 | $18.14 |
| 2 | Sandvik Coromant | $33,889 | $16.29 |
| 3 | Siemens Healthineers | $30,922 | $14.87 |
| 4 | Volt Information Sciences | $30,829 | $14.82 |
| 5 | Albany International | $30,138 | $14.49 |
| 6 | Nexamp | $30,002 | $14.42 |
| 7 | Nexstar Media Group | $29,355 | $14.11 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Generator Operator salary by industry
The average generator operator salary varies across industries:
- The average generator operator salary in the energy industry is $36,305, the highest of any industry.
- The average generator operator salary in the finance industry is $35,169.
- Generator operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $29,014, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for generator operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy | $36,305 | $17.45 |
| 2 | Automotive | $35,169 | $16.91 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $32,831 | $15.78 |
| 4 | Retail | $29,014 | $13.95 |
High paying generator operator jobs
Generator operator salary trends
The average generator operator salary has risen by $2,582 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average generator operator earned $28,899 annually, but today, they earn $31,481 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for generator operators over the last decade.
Compare generator operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average generator operator salary over time
Compare generator operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Generator operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,500 | $15.14 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $30,600 | $14.72 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | $30,700 | $14.74 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $30,500 | $14.66 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | $30,200 | $14.50 | +1.6% |
Recently added generator operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saunders Electric | Generator Operator | Los Angeles, CA | 04/23/2025 | $50,088 |
| Boehringer Ingelheim | Sustainability for Generations Co-Op | Ridgefield, CT | 03/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| KDM Hire Ltd. | Generator Support Operative | Noank, CT | 12/10/2024 | $33,914 |
| The Bergaila Companies | Generator Operator | Midland, TX | 10/07/2024 | $52,175 |
| Power Plus | Rental Generator Operations Manager | Auburn, WA | 07/19/2024 | $70,000 |
| Power Plus | Rental Generator Operations Manager | Auburn, WA | 07/19/2024 | $70,000 |
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