Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Power Plant Operators
Power Plant Operators control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Power Plant Operators monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems. They control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
A typical day for a Power Plant Operator will also include:
- Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
- Inspect records or logbook entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening the leaking gland or pipe joints.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Power Plant Operators also replenish electrolytes in batteries and oil in voltage transformers and reset tripped electric relays. They may also receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Power Plant Operators place standby emergency electrical generators online in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system. They might also inspect thermal barrier coatings on integrated gasification combined cycle (igcc) equipment for sintering, phase destabilization, or temperature variances to ensure compliance with standards and insulation efficiency.
In addition, they collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
To some Power Plant Operators, it is also their responsibility to make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking glands or pipe joints.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
81% said they were satisfied with their job and 69% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want 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 like to help and teach others.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Power Plant Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $48,090 to $65,300 per year or $23 to $31 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $111,470 | $54 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $99,890 | $48 |
| Median | $84,650 | $41 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $65,300 | $31 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $48,090 | $23 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Power Plant Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas Distribution | $103730 | $49.87 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $94970 | $45.66 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Repair and Maintenance | $85440 | $41.08 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $84030 | $40.40 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $83430 | $40.11 |
| Local Government | $77150 | $37.09 |
| State Government | $76870 | $36.96 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | $75490 | $36.29 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $74530 | $35.83 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $71920 | $34.58 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Power Plant Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Power Plant Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 22200 | $84030 | $40.40 |
| Local Government | 3650 | $77150 | $37.09 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 940 | $64620 | $31.07 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | 870 | $103730 | $49.87 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 700 | $75490 | $36.29 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 670 | $94970 | $45.66 |
| State Government | 620 | $76870 | $36.96 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 620 | $74530 | $35.83 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 450 | $62300 | $29.95 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 410 | $83430 | $40.11 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Power Plant Technology
Hydroelectric Energy Technology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend 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.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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