Occupation: 51-8010

Power Plant Operators

Statistics
National
State
City
State
City
$99670
Median Wage (USD, 2024)
2500
Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)
-11.2%
Projected Growth (2024-2034)
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

Experience Requirements Overview

  • Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
  • Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
  • Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
  • Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

Detailed Work Activities

  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
  • Operate energy distribution equipment.
  • Operate energy production equipment.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

  • 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.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.