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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians: 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.
The Daily Work of Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of hydroelectric plant technicians cover:
- Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
- Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
- Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
- Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
- Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
- Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
- Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
- Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful hydroelectric plant technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Communications and Instrumentation Mechanic (C and I Mechanic)
- Hydro Mechanic
- Hydro Operator
- Hydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech)
- Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech)
- Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic
- Hydroelectric Mechanic
- Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Tech)
Job Outlook
There are roughly 267,459 hydroelectric plant technicians working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +10.6% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $52,705 |
| Hourly median | $25.34 |
| 10th percentile | $32,907 |
| 25th percentile | $42,806 |
| 75th percentile | $62,604 |
| 90th percentile | $72,503 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,050 |
| New York | $121,760 |
| Hawaii | $115,190 |
| Oregon | $114,500 |
| New Jersey | $109,970 |
| North Dakota | $109,340 |
| Tennessee | $107,380 |
| Arizona | $107,210 |
| Nevada | $106,990 |
| Maryland | $106,300 |
| California | $105,520 |
| South Dakota | $105,400 |
| Wyoming | $105,330 |
| Michigan | $103,880 |
| Utah | $103,760 |
| Alabama | $103,640 |
| Georgia | $103,590 |
| Texas | $103,120 |
| Illinois | $103,020 |
| Idaho | $102,750 |
| Indiana | $102,730 |
| Montana | $102,610 |
| Massachusetts | $102,080 |
| Delaware | $101,790 |
| Rhode Island | $100,840 |
| North Carolina | $99,290 |
| Iowa | $98,880 |
| Nebraska | $98,760 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 |
| Colorado | $98,570 |
| Vermont | $98,260 |
| Ohio | $97,810 |
| West Virginia | $96,230 |
| Mississippi | $94,930 |
| Louisiana | $94,500 |
| Connecticut | $92,310 |
| Kansas | $89,630 |
| Arkansas | $88,860 |
| Minnesota | $88,090 |
| Kentucky | $87,330 |
| Missouri | $86,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,260 |
| Alaska | $85,070 |
| Florida | $84,030 |
| Wisconsin | $81,250 |
| Oklahoma | $80,780 |
| South Carolina | $78,580 |
| Virginia | $78,460 |
| Maine | $78,080 |
| New Hampshire | $72,370 |
| Puerto Rico | $63,270 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for hydroelectric plant technicians shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $108,094 | 14.0% | 1.11 |
| Far Western US | $105,890 | 15.3% | 2.72 |
| Rocky Mountains | $102,211 | 4.3% | 1.51 |
| Southwest | $100,165 | 11.3% | 1.05 |
| Great Lakes | $99,657 | 16.3% | 1.24 |
| New England | $95,991 | 5.7% | 1.34 |
| Plains States | $91,779 | 9.1% | 1.37 |
| Southeast | $91,206 | 23.4% | 1.20 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $156,260 | 180 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | WA | $140,800 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | CA | $136,640 | 150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $136,300 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $133,460 | 140 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $128,340 | 1,250 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | HI | $127,190 | 50 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | NY | $122,490 | 100 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of hydroelectric plant technicians are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 21,490 | $102,950 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 950 | $77,560 |
| Manufacturing | 770 | $71,470 |
| Educational Services | 770 | $61,960 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 730 | $78,530 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 460 | $64,370 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 420 | $107,870 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 160 | $81,320 |
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians work in the following industries:
Software Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for hydroelectric plant technicians reflects the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
Entry-level hydroelectric plant technicians positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Geothermal Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Biomass Power Plant Managers (Supplemental)
- Hydroelectric Production Managers (Primary-Short)
- Wind Energy Engineers (Supplemental)
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay (Supplemental)
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door (Supplemental)
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Students preparing for hydroelectric plant technicians often complete programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
2 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-8013.04 (Power Plant Operators).
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