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Power Plant Operators

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$99670	2500	-11.2%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$99670

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

2500

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

-11.2%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

Detailed Work Activities

Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Operate energy distribution equipment.
Operate energy production equipment.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Operate pumping systems or equipment.
Exchange information with colleagues.
Clean production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Maintain sustainable energy production equipment.
Inspect equipment or systems.
Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
Monitor conditions at energy-producing landfills.
Operate natural gas generation equipment.
Replace worn equipment components.
Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
Operate, control, or monitor equipment, such as acid or gas carbon dioxide removal units, carbon dioxide compressors, or pipelines, to capture, store, or transport carbon dioxide exhaust.
Operate, control, or monitor gasifiers or related equipment, such as coolers, water quenches, water gas shifts reactors, or sulfur recovery units, to produce syngas or electricity from coal.
Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.
Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.
Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.
Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.
Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
Repair or replace gas piping.
Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.
Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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