What Does it Take to Be a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
Job Description: 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 tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources.
- Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
- 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.
- Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
- Connect metal parts or components in hydroelectric plants by welding, soldering, riveting, tapping, bolting, bonding, or screwing.
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Hydroelectric Plant Technician Skills
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Operations and Maintenance Technician (O&M Technician)
- Repairman
- Hydroelectric Operator
- Hydro Plant Technician
- Power Plant Electrician
Hydroelectric Plant Technician Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 12,100 jobs for Hydroelectric Plant Technician in 2016. 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.
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.
Average Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Salary
The average yearly salary of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician ranges between $34,580 and $81,750.
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians in different U.S. states.
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
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
Becoming a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
What education is needed to be a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Hydroelectric Plant Technicians?
Below are examples of industries where Hydroelectric Plant Technicians work:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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