Hydroelectric Plant Technicians: Career Profile
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.
Featured schools near , edit
What Tasks Do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Take On?
The core tasks performed by hydroelectric plant technicians include:
- Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
- Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
- Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
- Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
- Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
- Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
- Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
- Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful hydroelectric plant technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Other Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Communications and Instrumentation Mechanic (C and I Mechanic)
- Hydro Mechanic
- Hydro Operator
- Hydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech)
- Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech)
- Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic
- Hydroelectric Mechanic
- Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Tech)
Job Outlook
There are about 267,459 hydroelectric plant technicians working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +10.6% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $52,705 |
| Hourly median | $25.34 |
| 10th percentile | $32,907 |
| 25th percentile | $42,806 |
| 75th percentile | $62,604 |
| 90th percentile | $72,503 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Make in Different U.S. States?
| 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 |
| California | $105,520 |
| South Dakota | $105,400 |
| Wyoming | $105,330 |
| Michigan | $103,880 |
| Utah | $103,760 |
| Alabama | $103,640 |
| Georgia | $103,590 |
| Texas | $103,120 |
| Illinois | $103,020 |
| Idaho | $102,750 |
| Indiana | $102,730 |
| Montana | $102,610 |
| Massachusetts | $102,080 |
| Delaware | $101,790 |
| Rhode Island | $100,840 |
| North Carolina | $99,290 |
| Iowa | $98,880 |
| Nebraska | $98,760 |
| New Mexico | $98,690 |
| Colorado | $98,570 |
| Vermont | $98,260 |
| Ohio | $97,810 |
| West Virginia | $96,230 |
| Mississippi | $94,930 |
| Louisiana | $94,500 |
| Connecticut | $92,310 |
| Kansas | $89,630 |
| Arkansas | $88,860 |
| Minnesota | $88,090 |
| Kentucky | $87,330 |
| Missouri | $86,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,260 |
| Alaska | $85,070 |
| Florida | $84,030 |
| Wisconsin | $81,250 |
| Oklahoma | $80,780 |
| South Carolina | $78,580 |
| Virginia | $78,460 |
| Maine | $78,080 |
| New Hampshire | $72,370 |
| Puerto Rico | $63,270 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for hydroelectric plant technicians differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $108,094 | 14.0% | 1.11 |
| Far Western US | $105,890 | 15.3% | 2.72 |
| Rocky Mountains | $102,211 | 4.3% | 1.51 |
| Southwest | $100,165 | 11.3% | 1.05 |
| Great Lakes | $99,657 | 16.3% | 1.24 |
| New England | $95,991 | 5.7% | 1.34 |
| Plains States | $91,779 | 9.1% | 1.37 |
| Southeast | $91,206 | 23.4% | 1.20 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $156,260 | 180 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | WA | $140,800 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | CA | $136,640 | 150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $136,300 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $133,460 | 140 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $128,340 | 1,250 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | HI | $127,190 | 50 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | NY | $122,490 | 100 |
Which Industries Hire Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
The largest employers of hydroelectric plant technicians work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 21,490 | $102,950 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 950 | $77,560 |
| Manufacturing | 770 | $71,470 |
| Educational Services | 770 | $61,960 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 730 | $78,530 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 460 | $64,370 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 420 | $107,870 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 160 | $81,320 |
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians work in the following industries:
Software Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for hydroelectric plant technicians reflects the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
Entry-level hydroelectric plant technicians positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Geothermal Production Managers (Supplemental)
- Biomass Power Plant Managers (Supplemental)
- Hydroelectric Production Managers (Primary-Short)
- Wind Energy Engineers (Supplemental)
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay (Supplemental)
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door (Supplemental)
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Future hydroelectric plant technicians commonly pursue programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
2 programs across 1 majors
Sources
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-8013.04 (Power Plant Operators).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.