What is a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
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.
- Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources.
- 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.
- Test and repair or replace electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, station batteries, cable trays, conduits, or control devices.
- Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
- Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
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Hydroelectric Plant Technician Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Hydroelectric Plant Technicians say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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 Mechanic
- Maintenance Mechanic
- Hydroelectric Plant Technician
- Hydro Technician
- Repairman
Hydroelectric Plant Technician Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,100 jobs in the United States for Hydroelectric Plant Technician. 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.

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.
What is the Average Salary of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
The average yearly salary of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician ranges between $34,580 and $81,750.

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in different U.S. states.
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
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Hydroelectric Plant Technicians:
- 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
Education needed to be a Hydroelectric Plant Technician:

What work experience do I need to become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?

Where Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Hydroelectric Plant Technicians work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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