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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in Texas
Considering working as a Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in Texas? Here’s what the data says. 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 Texas?
For a hydroelectric plant technicians working in Texas, the typical annual salary is $103,120 per year (or about $49.58/hour).Pay can range from $49,710 at the 10th percentile to $125,550 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| 25th percentile | $64,280 | $30.90 |
| Median (50th) | $103,120 | $49.58 |
| 75th percentile | $115,090 | $55.33 |
| 90th percentile | $125,550 | $60.36 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Texas nationwide is 0.68, suggesting fewer hydroelectric plant technicians per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, hydroelectric plant technicians earn a median of $52,705 per year ($25.34/hour), exceeding the Texas median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 267,459 hydroelectric plant technicians nationwide. In Texas alone, about 1,880 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 450 hydroelectric plant technicians.
Top Texas Metros for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
These are the Texas metros with the most hydroelectric plant technicians in Texas.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 360 | n/a |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 230 | $107,360 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 180 | $103,010 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 160 | $82,670 |
| Longview, TX | 110 | $104,680 |
| El Paso, TX | 100 | $103,120 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 40 | $96,770 |
| Lubbock, TX | 40 | $105,700 |
Top States for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Employment
View the states that employ the most 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
Key hydroelectric plant technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key 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
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians typically:
- 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
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs 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