Life As a Power Distributor or Dispatcher
Occupation Description Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Daily Life Of a Power Distributor or Dispatcher
- Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
- Calculate load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.
- Record and compile operational data, such as chart or meter readings, power demands, or usage and operating times, using transmission system maps.
- Inspect equipment to ensure that specifications are met or to detect any defects.
- Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
- Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Power Distributor or Dispatcher?
Below is a list of the skills most Power Distributors and Dispatchers say are important on the job.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Types of Power Distributor or Dispatcher Jobs
- Transmission System Operator
- Switchboard Operator
- Voltage Inspector
- Electrical Energy Distribution Technician
- Control Board Operator
Job Outlook for Power Distributors and Dispatchers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 11,600 jobs in the United States for Power Distributor or Dispatcher. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Power Distributor or Dispatcher. The BLS estimates 1,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Power Distributor or Dispatcher are Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Wyoming, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Power Distributor or Dispatcher Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Power Distributor or Dispatcher ranges between $54,670 and $117,860.
Power Distributors and Dispatchers who work in Washington, New York, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Power Distributors and Dispatchers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $86,670 |
Alaska | $97,430 |
Arizona | $94,020 |
Arkansas | $79,270 |
California | $93,200 |
Colorado | $93,280 |
Connecticut | $90,690 |
Florida | $73,570 |
Georgia | $78,600 |
Idaho | $91,880 |
Illinois | $75,780 |
Indiana | $77,140 |
Kansas | $81,630 |
Kentucky | $99,030 |
Maine | $59,700 |
Maryland | $73,060 |
Massachusetts | $93,690 |
Michigan | $88,640 |
Minnesota | $90,870 |
Mississippi | $71,920 |
Missouri | $86,320 |
Montana | $95,030 |
Nebraska | $91,090 |
Nevada | $102,130 |
New Hampshire | $94,760 |
New Jersey | $89,590 |
New Mexico | $88,210 |
New York | $104,310 |
North Carolina | $75,370 |
Ohio | $82,050 |
Oklahoma | $79,430 |
Oregon | $100,610 |
Pennsylvania | $87,930 |
South Carolina | $66,770 |
Tennessee | $70,680 |
Texas | $70,630 |
Utah | $86,170 |
Virginia | $76,230 |
Washington | $110,010 |
West Virginia | $81,340 |
Wisconsin | $90,210 |
Wyoming | $94,850 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Power Distributors and Dispatchers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
How do I Become a Power Distributor or Dispatcher?
What education is needed to be a Power Distributor or Dispatcher?
What work experience do I need to become a Power Distributor or Dispatcher?
Where Power Distributors and Dispatchers Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Power Distributors and Dispatchers employed by various industries.
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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