Power Plant Operators

Also Called: Auxiliary Operator, Control Operator, Control Room Operator, Plant Control Operator

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$54,080

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Power Plant Operators do

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.
Industry Areas:

Automotive & Machine Repair

Training Program Areas:

OCT-Only Automotive & Machine Repair • Stationary Engineering

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  • Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Tools

  • Flowmeters
  • Electrical control panels for generators
  • Heat exchangers
  • Air scrubbers
  • Screwdrivers

Technology

Industrial control software
Distributed control system DCS
Yokogawa FAST/TOOLS
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Electronic mail software
Email software
Microsoft Outlook

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Operation and Control
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Arts and Humanities
English language

Education

  • 74% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 21% Post-secondary certificate
  • 3% Associate's degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Power Plant Operators Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Electrical & Electronics Repairers, Commercial & Industrial Equipment

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

First-Line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

  • Gary - Job Corps

    San Marcos, Texas

ACT & College

  • Alexandria Technical & Community College

    Alexandria, MN

  • Allan Hancock College

    Santa Maria, CA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Independence

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention

This is what Power Plant Operators across the country typically make.

$26.00 / hour
$54,080 /year

Entry Level

$46.64 / hour
$97,010 /year

Median Level

$59.19 / hour
$123,120 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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