What is a Power Distributor or Dispatcher?
Job Description & Duties Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Life As a Power Distributor or Dispatcher
- Repair, maintain, or clean equipment or machinery, using hand tools.
- Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.
- Implement energy schedules, including real-time transmission reservations or schedules.
- Tend auxiliary equipment used in the power distribution process.
- Calculate load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.
- Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly.
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Qualities of a Power Distributor or Dispatcher
When polled, Power Distributors and Dispatchers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Types of Power Distributor or Dispatcher
- System Operator
- Distribution A Class Lineman
- Distribution Operations Supervisor
- Control Area Operator
- Switchboard and Control Room Operator
Are There Job Opportunities for Power Distributors and Dispatchers?
In the United States, there were 11,600 jobs for Power Distributor or Dispatcher in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Power Distributor or Dispatcher. There will be an estimated 1,000 positions for Power Distributor or Dispatcher per year.

The states with the most job growth for Power Distributor or Dispatcher are Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Wyoming, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Power Distributor or Dispatcher
The average yearly salary of a Power Distributor or Dispatcher ranges between $54,670 and $117,860.

Power Distributors and Dispatchers who work in Washington, New York, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
How much do Power Distributors and Dispatchers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $86,670 |
Alaska | $97,430 |
Arizona | $94,020 |
Arkansas | $79,270 |
California | $93,200 |
Colorado | $93,280 |
Connecticut | $90,690 |
Florida | $73,570 |
Georgia | $78,600 |
Idaho | $91,880 |
Illinois | $75,780 |
Indiana | $77,140 |
Kansas | $81,630 |
Kentucky | $99,030 |
Maine | $59,700 |
Maryland | $73,060 |
Massachusetts | $93,690 |
Michigan | $88,640 |
Minnesota | $90,870 |
Mississippi | $71,920 |
Missouri | $86,320 |
Montana | $95,030 |
Nebraska | $91,090 |
Nevada | $102,130 |
New Hampshire | $94,760 |
New Jersey | $89,590 |
New Mexico | $88,210 |
New York | $104,310 |
North Carolina | $75,370 |
Ohio | $82,050 |
Oklahoma | $79,430 |
Oregon | $100,610 |
Pennsylvania | $87,930 |
South Carolina | $66,770 |
Tennessee | $70,680 |
Texas | $70,630 |
Utah | $86,170 |
Virginia | $76,230 |
Washington | $110,010 |
West Virginia | $81,340 |
Wisconsin | $90,210 |
Wyoming | $94,850 |
What Tools do Power Distributors and Dispatchers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Power Distributors and Dispatchers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
How to Become a Power Distributor or Dispatcher
Education needed to be a Power Distributor or Dispatcher:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Power Distributor or Dispatcher?

Where Power Distributors and Dispatchers Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Power Distributors and Dispatchers employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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