Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.
SOC: 51-8013.04
Common Job Titles
Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech)
Hydroelectric Mechanic
Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician)
Power Plant Mechanic
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
30,720
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $59,930. 25th percentile: U.S. $77,400. 50th percentile: U.S. $99,670. 75th percentile: U.S. $111,980. 90th percentile: U.S. $128,760. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$59,930
10% of workers earn the following or more
$128,760
Workers on average earn
$95,990
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Mechanical4.9/5
Public Safety and Security4.3/5
Mathematics4.3/5
Engineering and Technology4.1/5
Education and Training4.0/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Distributed control system DCS
IBM Lotus Notes
Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
