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Hydroelectric Plant Technician

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Life As a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

Hydroelectric Plant Technician Example 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.

Daily Life Of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

  • Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
  • Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
  • Maintain logs, reports, work requests, or other records of work performed in hydroelectric plants.
  • Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources.
  • Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
  • Change oil, hydraulic fluid, or other lubricants to maintain condition of hydroelectric plant equipment.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?

These are the skills Hydroelectric Plant Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Hydro Technician
  • Hydroelectric Plant Electrician
  • Operator
  • Maintenance Mechanic
  • Power Plant Operator

Job Outlook for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,100 jobs in the United States for Hydroelectric Plant Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Hydroelectric Plant Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Hydroelectric Plant Technician are South Dakota, Nebraska, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, West Virginia, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?

The average yearly salary of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician ranges between $34,580 and $81,750.

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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.

How much do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $53,280
Alaska $65,360
Arizona $54,740
Arkansas $52,910
California $69,480
Colorado $50,910
Connecticut $65,360
Florida $53,060
Georgia $42,540
Hawaii $68,500
Idaho $63,100
Illinois $63,770
Indiana $60,160
Iowa $62,060
Kansas $66,380
Kentucky $53,540
Louisiana $54,610
Maine $44,000
Maryland $60,260
Massachusetts $63,710
Michigan $62,000
Minnesota $67,770
Mississippi $58,280
Missouri $56,330
Montana $60,360
Nebraska $41,410
Nevada $59,180
New Jersey $62,690
New Mexico $53,040
New York $63,550
North Carolina $57,370
North Dakota $52,260
Ohio $52,440
Oklahoma $52,740
Oregon $58,800
Pennsylvania $55,250
South Carolina $57,790
Tennessee $55,980
Texas $52,850
Utah $53,520
Virginia $62,820
Washington $68,600
West Virginia $54,870
Wisconsin $64,240

What Tools do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Hydroelectric Plant Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Distributed control system DCS

How to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

What kind of Hydroelectric Plant Technician requirements are there?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?

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Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Hydroelectric Plant Technicians employed by various industries.

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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