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Hydroelectric Plant Technician

What Do Hydroelectric Plant Technician Do?

Hydroelectric Plant Technician Job Description 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.

A Day in the Life of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

  • Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks.
  • Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors, transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps, gates, or valves.
  • Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources.
  • Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
  • Cut, bend, or shape metal for applications in hydroelectric plants, using equipment such as hydraulic benders or pipe threaders.
  • Test and repair or replace electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, station batteries, cable trays, conduits, or control devices.

Hydroelectric Plant Technician Needed Skills

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Other Hydroelectric Plant Technician Job Titles

  • Power Plant Technician
  • Hydroelectric Plant Installation Technician
  • Hydroelectric Operator
  • Hydroelectric Plant Technician
  • Hydro Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O&M Technician)

Job Demand for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

There were about 12,100 jobs for Hydroelectric Plant Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Hydroelectric Plant Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Hydroelectric Plant Technician are South Dakota, Nebraska, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, West Virginia, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Hydroelectric Plant Technician Average Salary

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians make between $34,580 and $81,750 a year.

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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.

How much do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $53,280
Alaska $65,360
Arizona $54,740
Arkansas $52,910
California $69,480
Colorado $50,910
Connecticut $65,360
Florida $53,060
Georgia $42,540
Hawaii $68,500
Idaho $63,100
Illinois $63,770
Indiana $60,160
Iowa $62,060
Kansas $66,380
Kentucky $53,540
Louisiana $54,610
Maine $44,000
Maryland $60,260
Massachusetts $63,710
Michigan $62,000
Minnesota $67,770
Mississippi $58,280
Missouri $56,330
Montana $60,360
Nebraska $41,410
Nevada $59,180
New Jersey $62,690
New Mexico $53,040
New York $63,550
North Carolina $57,370
North Dakota $52,260
Ohio $52,440
Oklahoma $52,740
Oregon $58,800
Pennsylvania $55,250
South Carolina $57,790
Tennessee $55,980
Texas $52,850
Utah $53,520
Virginia $62,820
Washington $68,600
West Virginia $54,870
Wisconsin $64,240

Tools & Technologies Used by Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Hydroelectric Plant Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Distributed control system DCS

How to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

Are there Hydroelectric Plant Technicians education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?

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Where do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Work?

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Below are examples of industries where Hydroelectric Plant Technicians work:

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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