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Power Plant Operators in New Mexico
Considering working as a Power Plant Operators in New Mexico? 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 Power Plant Operators Make in New Mexico?
For a power plant operators working in New Mexico, the typical annual salary is $98,690 per year (or roughly $47.45/hour).Pay can range from $41,930 at the 10th percentile to $105,410 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| 25th percentile | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Median (50th) | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| 75th percentile | $105,410 | $50.68 |
| 90th percentile | $105,410 | $50.68 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in New Mexico nationwide is 0.77, suggesting fewer power plant operators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, power plant operators earn a median of $49,236 per year ($23.67/hour), exceeding the New Mexico median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 731,027 power plant operators nationwide. In New Mexico alone, around 130 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 450 power plant operators.
Top States for Power Plant Operators Employment
These states have the highest employment of power plant operators 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 Power Plant Operators
The highest-paying states for power plant operators.
| 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 power plant operators 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
Top abilities for power plant operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
- Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
- Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Getting Information
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Training and Teaching Others
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Careers similar to power plant operators include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Nuclear Technicians
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Also Known As
Asphalt Plant Operator, Auxiliary Equipment Tender, Auxiliary Operator, Auxiliary Power Equipment Operator, Batch Plant Operator, Booster Operator, Booster Plant Operator, Booster Pump Operator, Carbon Capture Power Plant Engineer, Carbon Capture Power Plant Operator, Carbon Sequestration Plant Engineer, Carbon Sequestration Plant Operator, Coal Gasification Technician (Coal Gasification Tech), Cogeneration Technician (Cogeneration Tech), Control Center Operator.
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: 51-8013.00
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