Uplink power control in a broadband wireless access system is provided. A Base Station (BS) includes a controller, a first generator, a second generator, and a modulator/demodulator (modem). The controller determines to apply one of a first power control which is slot-periodic and a second power control which is frame-periodic. The first generator generates a first power control command at a slot period using a channel quality premising a rake receiver according to the first power control. The second generator generates a second power control command at a frame period using a channel quality premising an equalizer according to the second power control, and generates a third power control command according to a predefined pattern at a slot not being able to use the channel quality. The modem transmits at least one of the first, second, and third power control commands.