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  1. Occupations
  2. Power Plant Operators

Power Plant Operators

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

SOC: 51-8013.00

Common Job Titles

  • Auxiliary Operator
  • Control Room Operator
  • Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech)
  • Power Plant Operator

Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Power Plant Operators (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.
MetricU.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

  • Mechanical4.0/5
  • Public Safety and Security3.7/5
  • English Language3.6/5
  • Production and Processing3.4/5
  • Chemistry3.2/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Technology Skills

  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Continuous emissions monitoring systems CEMS
  • Distributed control system DCS
  • Email software
  • Emerson Ovation
  • Gas field monitoring system software
  • General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS
  • General Electric Mark VI Integrated Control System ICS
Tools & Technology: Technology Skills

Tools & Equipment

  • Absorbers
  • Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Air compressors
  • Air filtration mask
  • Air heaters
  • Air samplers
  • All terrain vehicles ATV
Tools & Technology: Tools & Equipment

Related Occupations

Occupations with similar skills and knowledge requirements

Most Similar

  • Hydroelectric Plant Technicians 51-8013.04
  • Biomass Plant Technicians 51-8013.03
  • Gas Plant Operators 51-8092.00
  • Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators 51-8021.00
  • Geothermal Technicians 49-9099.01

Moderately Similar

  • Power Distributors and Dispatchers 51-8012.00
  • Chemical Plant and System Operators 51-8091.00
  • Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators 53-7071.00
  • Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers 51-8093.00
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators 51-8031.00

Related

  • Biomass Power Plant Managers 11-3051.04
  • Geothermal Production Managers 11-3051.02
  • Hydroelectric Production Managers 11-3051.06
  • Wind Turbine Service Technicians 49-9081.00
  • Nuclear Technicians 19-4051.00
  • Biofuels Processing Technicians 51-8099.01
  • Wellhead Pumpers 53-7073.00
  • Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers 53-7072.00
  • Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 51-8011.00
  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door 49-9012.00

Related Programs

Education programs that prepare you for this occupation

  • ApprenticeshipXcel Energy (MN): Power Plant OperatorIssuer: Xcel Energy (MN)
  • ApprenticeshipDTE Energy: Power Plant OperatorIssuer: DTE Energy
  • ApprenticeshipBaltimore Gas & Electric (Exelon): Power Plant OperatorIssuer: Baltimore Gas & Electric (Exelon)
  • ApprenticeshipEntergy Louisiana: Power Plant OperatorIssuer: Entergy Louisiana
  • ApprenticeshipLG&E and KU Energy: Power Plant OperatorIssuer: LG&E and KU Energy
  • ApprenticeshipEvergy (Kansas City Power & Light): Power Plant OperatorIssuer: Evergy (Kansas City Power & Light)
  • ApprenticeshipMidAmerican Energy: Power Plant OperatorIssuer: MidAmerican Energy
  • ApprenticeshipAES Indiana: Power Plant OperatorIssuer: AES Indiana
  • ApprenticeshipComEd (Exelon): Power Plant OperatorIssuer: ComEd (Exelon)
  • ApprenticeshipIdaho Power: Power Plant OperatorIssuer: Idaho Power