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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in Iowa
Considering working as a Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Excludes “Nuclear Power Reactor Operators” (51-8011).
What do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Make in Iowa?
The hydroelectric plant technicians working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $98,880 per year (or about $47.54/hour).Earnings range from $60,700 at the 10th percentile to $106,250 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,700 | $29.18 |
| 25th percentile | $70,080 | $33.69 |
| Median (50th) | $98,880 | $47.54 |
| 75th percentile | $102,790 | $49.42 |
| 90th percentile | $106,250 | $51.08 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 1.23, suggesting that hydroelectric plant technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, hydroelectric plant technicians earn a median of $52,705 per year ($25.34/hour), above the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 267,459 hydroelectric plant technicians in the U.S.. In Iowa alone, about 380 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 450 hydroelectric plant technicians.
Top Iowa Metros for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
The largest metro-area employers of hydroelectric plant technicians in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 50 | $101,520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 30 | $70,080 |
Top States for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Employment
These states have the highest employment of hydroelectric plant technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,390 |
| New York | 2,350 |
| Texas | 1,880 |
| Illinois | 1,630 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,380 |
| Florida | 1,330 |
| Michigan | 1,200 |
| Massachusetts | 1,060 |
| Indiana | 900 |
| Arizona | 890 |
| South Carolina | 850 |
| Missouri | 760 |
| Alaska | 750 |
| Alabama | 730 |
| Virginia | 730 |
| Minnesota | 710 |
| Wisconsin | 660 |
| Ohio | 630 |
| Oklahoma | 600 |
| Washington | 570 |
Highest-Paying States for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
These states pay the most for hydroelectric plant technicians.
| 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 |
Skills
Top hydroelectric plant technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for hydroelectric plant technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- 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.
- Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions.
- Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
- Change oil, hydraulic fluid, or other lubricants to maintain condition of hydroelectric plant equipment.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Handling and Moving Objects
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Other careers like hydroelectric plant technicians include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Also Known As
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), Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker, Hydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician), Hydroelectric Operator, Hydroelectric Plant Electrician, Hydroelectric Plant Installation Technician (Hydroelectric Plant Installation Tech), Hydroelectric Plant Mechanic, Hydroelectric Plant Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Plant O and M Tech).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-8013.04
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