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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in West Virginia
Thinking about a career as a Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in West Virginia? 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 West Virginia?
For hydroelectric plant technicians working in West Virginia, wages run about $96,230 per year (or roughly $46.26/hour).Earnings range from $70,620 at the 10th percentile to $109,270 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $70,620 | $33.95 |
| 25th percentile | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Median (50th) | $96,230 | $46.26 |
| 75th percentile | $98,100 | $47.16 |
| 90th percentile | $109,270 | $52.53 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in West Virginia nationwide is 2.13, meaning 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), higher than the West Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 267,459 hydroelectric plant technicians across the United States. In West Virginia alone, approximately 300 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 450 hydroelectric plant technicians.
Top West Virginia Metros for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
The largest metro-area employers of hydroelectric plant technicians in West Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Morgantown, WV | 50 | $103,610 |
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
The most important 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
The abilities that matter most for hydroelectric plant technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, 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?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to 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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