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Power Distributors and Dispatchers in California

Thinking about a career as a Power Distributors and Dispatchers in California? Below are the key facts. Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.

What do Power Distributors and Dispatchers Make in California?

For a power distributors and dispatchers working in California, the median annual wage is $116,360 per year (or about $55.94/hour).Earnings range from $88,820 at the 10th percentile to $171,500 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$88,820	$42.70
25th percentile	$103,370	$49.70
Median (50th)	$116,360	$55.94
75th percentile	$156,080	$75.04
90th percentile	$171,500	$82.45

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 0.72, suggesting fewer power distributors and dispatchers per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, power distributors and dispatchers earn a median of $46,558 per year ($22.38/hour), above the California median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 169,715 power distributors and dispatchers in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 770 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 140 power distributors and dispatchers.

Top California Metros for Power Distributors and Dispatchers

The metro areas below employ the most power distributors and dispatchers in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	330	$105,200
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	130	$118,250
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	120	$166,600
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	70	$160,630

Top States for Power Distributors and Dispatchers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most power distributors and dispatchers work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	1,000
California	770
Pennsylvania	690
Michigan	560
Illinois	550
Ohio	400
Washington	390
Massachusetts	360
New Jersey	320
Florida	250
North Carolina	240
Alabama	230
Arkansas	230
Oregon	210
Virginia	210
Arizona	190
Kentucky	160
Georgia	150
Minnesota	150
Nevada	140

Highest-Paying States for Power Distributors and Dispatchers

These states pay the most for power distributors and dispatchers.

State	Annual Median Salary
Washington	$139,170
Idaho	$136,550
Connecticut	$134,050
Nevada	$133,910
Oregon	$130,100
New York	$128,680
Minnesota	$122,620
Georgia	$121,970
Maine	$116,810
California	$116,360

Skills

The most important power distributors and dispatchers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for power distributors and dispatchers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, power distributors and dispatchers typically:

• Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
• Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
• Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
• Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.
• 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.
• Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.
• Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
• Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly.
• Implement energy schedules, including real-time transmission reservations or schedules.
• Calculate load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.
• Track conditions that could affect power needs, such as changes in the weather, and adjust equipment to meet any anticipated changes.
• Record and compile operational data, such as chart or meter readings, power demands, or usage and operating times, using transmission system maps.

Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Working with Computers
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Processing Information
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access

Related Careers

Careers similar to power distributors and dispatchers include:

• Biomass Power Plant Managers
• Electrical Engineers
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
• Mechanical Engineers
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Broadcast Technicians

Also Known As

Auxiliary Operator, Board Operator, Control Area Operator, Control Board Operator, Control Operator, Control Room Operator, DSO (Distribution System Operator), Dispatcher, Distribution A Class Lineman, Distribution Lineman, Distribution Operator, Distribution System Dispatcher (DSD), Distribution Systems Serviceperson, Electric System Operator, Electrical Energy Distribution Technician (Electrical Energy Distribution 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: 51-8012.00