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Distribution system operator salary
Average distribution system operator salary
$58,785
Average Distribution System Operator Salary
The average salary for a Distribution System Operator is $58,785 annually, or about $28 per hour. This role is crucial in ensuring the efficient delivery of energy to consumers, making it an important position within the utility sector.
Factors Influencing Salary
Several factors can impact the salary of a Distribution System Operator, including:
- Experience Level: Operators with more years of experience typically earn higher wages.
- Location: Salaries differ significantly by state, with some regions offering more competitive compensation.
- Industry Demand: Areas with higher demand for energy distribution services often provide better pay.
Salary Estimates by State
Understanding regional salary variations is essential for job seekers. States with the highest paying opportunities for Distribution System Operators often include areas with significant energy infrastructure investments.
Conclusion
To maximize earning potential, operators should consider gaining additional certifications or experience, especially in high-demand regions.
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Where can a Distribution System Operator earn more?
Distribution system operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level distribution system operator | $53,600 | $25.76 |
| Mid-level distribution system operator | $72,700 | $34.94 |
| Senior-level distribution system operator | $77,700 | $37.34 |
Distribution system operator salary estimates from across the web
Average distribution system operator salary by state
The average distribution system operator salary in New Jersey, Maine, and Vermont are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average distribution system operator salary states are Arkansas, Oregon, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for distribution system operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $77,565 | $37.29 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $68,611 | $32.99 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $68,541 | $32.95 |
| 4 | Maryland | $68,837 | $33.09 |
| 5 | Vermont | $72,629 | $34.92 |
| 6 | Delaware | $70,861 | $34.07 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $62,305 | $29.95 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $66,776 | $32.10 |
| 9 | Maine | $76,672 | $36.86 |
| 10 | California | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $70,562 | $33.92 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $60,712 | $29.19 |
| 13 | Arizona | $56,669 | $27.24 |
| 14 | Alaska | $55,915 | $26.88 |
| 15 | Virginia | $56,553 | $27.19 |
| 16 | Ohio | $57,933 | $27.85 |
| 17 | New York | $65,791 | $31.63 |
| 18 | Nevada | $49,504 | $23.80 |
| 19 | Michigan | $53,869 | $25.90 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $57,685 | $27.73 |
| 21 | Texas | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $50,543 | $24.30 |
| 23 | Indiana | $49,558 | $23.83 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $46,629 | $22.42 |
| 25 | Illinois | $53,265 | $25.61 |
| 26 | Alabama | $42,081 | $20.23 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $47,163 | $22.67 |
| 28 | Iowa | $43,669 | $20.99 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $45,284 | $21.77 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $39,942 | $19.20 |
| 31 | Washington | $39,798 | $19.13 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| 33 | Florida | $43,176 | $20.76 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $40,702 | $19.57 |
| 35 | Minnesota | $42,920 | $20.63 |
| 36 | Colorado | $38,236 | $18.38 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $40,636 | $19.54 |
| 38 | Kansas | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $35,783 | $17.20 |
| 40 | Georgia | $37,447 | $18.00 |
| 41 | Missouri | $36,798 | $17.69 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $30,141 | $14.49 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $38,804 | $18.66 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $39,032 | $18.77 |
| 45 | Utah | $32,599 | $15.67 |
| 46 | Oregon | $31,938 | $15.35 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $33,695 | $16.20 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $32,021 | $15.39 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $31,401 | $15.10 |
| 50 | Montana | $29,104 | $13.99 |
| 51 | Idaho | $25,473 | $12.25 |
Highest paying cities for distribution system operators
The highest-paying cities for distribution system operators are New Bedford, MA, Providence, RI, and Manchester, NH.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Bedford, MA | $70,689 | $33.99 |
| 2 | Providence, RI | $68,802 | $33.08 |
| 3 | Manchester, NH | $60,423 | $29.05 |
| 4 | Erie, PA | $59,962 | $28.83 |
| 5 | Arlington, VA | $59,475 | $28.59 |
| 6 | Tucson, AZ | $58,184 | $27.97 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $55,877 | $26.86 |
| 8 | Joliet, IL | $52,432 | $25.21 |
| 9 | Fort Hood, TX | $49,155 | $23.63 |
| 10 | Jacksonville, FL | $41,573 | $19.99 |
| 11 | Colorado Springs, CO | $39,246 | $18.87 |
| 12 | Wichita, KS | $35,619 | $17.12 |
| 13 | Kansas City, MO | $35,095 | $16.87 |
| 14 | Albuquerque, NM | $34,256 | $16.47 |
| 15 | Salt Lake City, UT | $31,960 | $15.37 |
Distribution system operator salary details
A distribution system operator's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $142,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a distribution system operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $142,000 | $11,833 | $68 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,000 | $7,750 | $45 |
| Average | $58,785 | $4,899 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying distribution system operator jobs
The highest paying types of distribution system operators are transmission system operator, senior system operator, and auxiliary operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Treatment Technician | $44,399 | $3,700 | $21.35 | 16,677 |
| Water Technician | $38,723 | $3,227 | $18.62 | 34,702 |
| Utility Plant Operative | $42,253 | $3,521 | $20.31 | 19,159 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Wastewater Treatment Operator | $45,618 | $3,802 | $21.93 | 32,561 |
| Water Plant Operator | $45,853 | $3,821 | $22.04 | 39,348 |
Top companies hiring distribution system operators now:
Which companies pay distribution system operators the most?
Distribution system operator salaries at Exelon and Tucson Electric Power are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average distribution system operator salary at companies like Salt River Project and PPL are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exelon | $91,467 | $43.97 |
| 2 | Tucson Electric Power | $83,042 | $39.92 |
| 3 | Salt River Project | $79,269 | $38.11 |
| 4 | PPL | $77,554 | $37.29 |
| 5 | Eversource Energy | $72,111 | $34.67 |
| 6 | PNM Resources | $69,437 | $33.38 |
| 7 | Walsingham Group | $66,719 | $32.08 |
| 8 | UNS Energy | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| 9 | Marin Water | $57,108 | $27.46 |
| 10 | Maytag Aircraft Corporation | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| 11 | Katmai Careers | $51,051 | $24.54 |
| 12 | Amazon | $48,012 | $23.08 |
| 13 | Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City | $40,986 | $19.70 |
| 14 | State Of Florida | $33,736 | $16.22 |
| 15 | My Florida Regional Mls | $33,323 | $16.02 |
| 16 | Florida Department of Transportation | $32,118 | $15.44 |
| 17 | City of Columbus | $31,786 | $15.28 |
| 18 | City of Boulder | $31,566 | $15.18 |
| 19 | FirstEnergy | $29,609 | $14.24 |
| 20 | Bandera Electric Cooperative | $28,593 | $13.75 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Distribution system operator salary trends
The average distribution system operator salary has risen by $8,753 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average distribution system operator earned $50,032 annually, but today, they earn $58,785 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for distribution system operators over the last decade.
Compare distribution system operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average distribution system operator salary over time
Compare distribution system operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Distribution system operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $58,800 | $28.26 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $57,200 | $27.50 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $56,000 | $26.93 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $55,300 | $26.57 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $54,800 | $26.35 | +2.1% |
Recently added distribution system operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eversource Energy | Distribution System Operator Apprentice (Distribution System Operator) | Springfield, MA | 06/30/2025 | $107,835 |
| Eversource Energy | Distribution System Operator | Berlin, CT | 06/30/2025 | $110,966 |
| Eversource | Associate Operator, Distribution System | Manchester, NH | 06/19/2025 | $91,400 |
| Polk County | Utilities-Distribution and Collection System Equipment Operator II (CDL A Required) (Underground G | Bartow, FL | 06/10/2025 | $39,549 |
| Actalent | Distribution System Operator | Macon, GA | 05/28/2025 | $52,175 |
| Eversource Energy | Associate Operator, Distribution System | Manchester, NH | 05/25/2025 | $91,400 |
| Eversource Energy | Distribution System Operator | Berlin, CT | 05/17/2025 | $110,966 |
| Polk County | Utilities-Distribution and Collection System Operator II (Underground Group) | Bartow, FL | 04/28/2025 | $35,876 |
| TRC Companies, Inc. | Fuel Distribution System Operator | Leesville, LA | 04/19/2025 | $37,566 |
| Eversource Energy | Associate Operator, Distribution System | Manchester, NH | 03/28/2025 | $91,400 |
Distribution system operator salary FAQs
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