Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers

The Association of Energy Engineers conducted a survey of its members (which include engineers, executives, educators, and others in the energy field) in 2024. It found that 62 percent of its members earned between $100,000 and $199,999. Salaries ranged from $10,000 to $300,000 or more.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) does not provide salary information for hydropower and marine energy industry workers. It does provide May 2023 salary ranges for engineers, technicians, power plant operators, environmental scientists, and hydrologists in all industries.

Engineers earned the following salary ranges by specialty:

• civil: $63,220 to $150,640+
• electrical: $69,320 to $172,050+
• electronics: $76,700 to $179,690+
• mechanical: $64,560 to $157,470+

Environmental scientists earned median annual incomes of $78,980. The top 10 percent earned $133,660 or higher, and the lowest 10 percent made less than $48,580.

Hydrologists had median annual earnings of $88,770. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $57,120, and the highest paid 10 percent earned $141,790 or more.

Electrical and electronics engineering technicians earned salaries that ranged from less than $46,420 to $105,320 or more; civil engineering technicians, $39,120 to $91,010+; and mechanical engineering technicians, $34,900 to $85,430+. Power plant operators earned salaries that ranged from less than $44,110 to $96,740 or more.

Hydroelectric plant technicians employed in the United States earned an average base salary of $54,973 in November 2024, according to ZipRecruiter.com. Salaries ranged from $21,500 to $115,000 or more.

Support workers in the hydropower and marine energy industry earn a wide range of salaries, from starting salaries of $20,000 for clerical support workers, to $200,000 or more for lawyers or top executives.

Benefits for full-time workers include vacation and sick time, health (and sometimes dental), insurance, and pension or 401(k) plans.