Table of Contents
Job description
Power Plant Operators control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- 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.
Become one
Interested in becoming a Power Plant Operator? Find the right schools that can help you to become one. This service is free thanks to our sponsors.
View available schoolsSalary
Power Plant Operators with little to no experience tend to make between $45590 and $62330 while the more experienced ones can earn over $95330 per year.
| Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| CA | $45 | $93,610 |
| WA | $45 | $93,600 |
| HI | $44 | $90,650 |
| NY | $42 | $87,360 |
| NV | $42 | $87,230 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Power Plant Operator is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Power Plant Operators are CA, WA, HI, NY and NV.
However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Power Plant Operator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.
Requirements
We asked other Power Plant Operators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by a Post-Secondary Certificate.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
| No degree required |
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Power Plant Operator.
| PROS |
|---|
| Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work |
| Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment |
| This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
| It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career. |
| Normal working hours (40 hours per week) |
| CONS |
|---|
| Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others |
| Demand for this career is declining |
What is the job like
81% of Power Plant Operators said they were satisfied with their job and 69% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Is this right for me
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities. | Salary $33090 |
operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment. | Salary $32730 |
calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production process. Perform, and keep records of, plant maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections. | Salary $58300 |
operate or control petroleum refining or processing units. May specialize in controlling manifold and pumping systems, gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or regulating the flow of oil into pipelines. | Salary $70630 |
set up, operate, or tend metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines to mold or cast metal or thermoplastic parts or products. | Salary $33950 |
Learn more about Power Plant Operators
| Summary (You are here) | |
| Job Description | |
| Salary | |
| Requirements | |
| Is This Right For Me |
Find a college with the major you want
Related career information
Power Plant Operators job description, Power Plant Operators salary, Power Plant Operators information, what is the job of a Power Plant Operator like, pros and cons about Power Plant Operators, colleges and universities for Power Plant Operators, is Power Plant Operators the right career for me, careers in Production
Similar careers
Armature Bander, Armature Connector, Armature Winder, Assembler, Auto-Winder, Cell Worker, Coil Builder, Coil Connector, Coil Finisher, Coil Former
Additional resources
Last updated: April 28, 2020
.jpg)
Power Plant Operators
control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
