Salary Range
$25,000 to $100,000+
Power plant workers include power plant operators, power distributors, power dispatchers, and nuclear power reactor operators. In general, power plant operators control the machinery that generates electricity. Power distributors and power dispatchers oversee the flow of electricity through substations and a network of transmission and distribution lines to individual and commercial consumers. The generators in these power plants may produce electricity by converting energy from a nuclear reactor; burning oil, gas, or coal; or harnessing energy from falling water, the sun, or the wind. Approximately 53,000 power plant workers, including nuclear power reactor operators, are employed in the United States.
Minimum Education Level
High School DiplomaCertification/License
RequiredOutlook
DeclineHands On
Problem-Solving
Technical
Power Plant Operator
Assistant Power Plant Operator
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Civil Engineers
- Coal Miners
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Electricians
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Radiographers
- Landmen
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Materials Engineers
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Mining Engineers
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Physicists
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Roustabouts
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Telephone and PBX Installers and Repairers
- Traffic Engineers
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers