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All About Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
- Connect metal parts or components in hydroelectric plants by welding, soldering, riveting, tapping, bolting, bonding, or screwing.
- 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.
- Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
- Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
- Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources.
- Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions.
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Hydroelectric Plant Technician 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.
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Repairman
- Hydro Plant Technician
- Hydroelectric Systems Technician
- Hydroelectric Operator
- Plant Operations Worker
Job Outlook for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
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. There will be an estimated 1,200 positions for Hydroelectric Plant Technician per year.
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.
How Much Does a Hydroelectric Plant Technician Make?
The salary for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians ranges between about $34,580 and $81,750 a year.
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians make 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 |
What Tools do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Use?
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
Becoming a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
What education is needed to be a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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