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Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers

Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug9QtgaRplo.
Quick Facts: Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers
2023 Median Pay $100,890 per year
$48.50 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Long-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2023 47,400
Job Outlook, 2023-33 -8% (Decline)
Employment Change, 2023-33 -3,800

What Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers Do

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.

Work Environment

Most power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They typically work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts.

How to Become a Power Plant Operator, Distributor, or Dispatcher

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Once hired, they typically receive extensive on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license.

Pay

The median annual wage for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was $100,890 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 8 percent from 2023 to 2033.

Despite declining employment, about 3,800 openings for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers Do About this section

Power plant operator monitors power generation system.
Power plant operators monitor power-generating equipment and indicators.

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.

Duties

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically do the following:

  • Control power-generating, distribution, or transmission equipment
  • Read charts, meters, and gauges to monitor voltage and electricity flows
  • Check equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems
  • Adjust controls to regulate the flow of power
  • Start or stop generators, turbines, and other equipment as necessary

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control power plants and the flow of electricity from plants to substations, which distribute electricity to businesses, homes, and other structures.

Nuclear power reactor operators control nuclear reactors. They maintain or adjust power output and monitor reactors, turbines, generators, and cooling systems. Operators start and stop equipment and record and evaluate data produced from monitoring instruments, ensuring that power-generation facilities are safe and efficient. They respond to abnormalities, determine the causes, and take corrective action. They also direct and inspect maintenance and testing activities.

Power distributors and dispatchers, also known as systems operators, control the flow of electricity as it travels from generating stations to substations and users. They monitor and operate current converters, voltage transformers, and circuit breakers over a network of transmission and distribution lines. They prepare and issue switching orders to route electrical currents around areas that need maintenance or repair. They also detect and respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, which can cause cascading power outages over the network.

Power plant operators control and maintain machinery to generate electricity from sources other than nuclear reactors. They use control boards and other equipment to distribute power among generators and to regulate the output of several generators. They monitor instruments to maintain voltage and electricity flows from the plant to meet fluctuating consumer demand throughout the day.

Work Environment About this section

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers
Power plant operators must monitor plant equipment and take action if problems arise.

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers held about 47,400 jobs in 2023. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was distributed as follows:

Power plant operators 32,400
Power distributors and dispatchers 9,200
Nuclear power reactor operators 5,800

The largest employers of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers were as follows:

Utilities 72%
Government 16

Operators, distributors, and dispatchers who work in control rooms generally sit or stand at a control station. Their work requires constant attention. They also may do rounds, checking equipment and doing other work outside the control room. Transmission stations and substations where distributors and dispatchers work are typically in locations that are separate from the generating station where power plant operators work.

Employees of nuclear power plants and transmission stations usually work under heightened security to protect against nuclear plants’ vulnerability to attack.

Work Schedules

Most power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts.

Work on rotating shifts, which may involve day or night work schedules that alternate over a specified time, can be stressful because of the constant changes in living and sleeping patterns.

How to Become a Power Plant Operator, Distributor, or Dispatcher About this section

Power plant operator using computer at control station.
Most power plant operators work at a control station.

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have experience. Once hired, power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically receive extensive on-the-job training.

Employers may require prospective operators to take the Plant Operator exam from the Edison Electrical Institute to test their aptitude for this work. This exam measure reading comprehension, understanding of mechanical concepts, spatial ability, and mathematical ability.

Education

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. However, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a postsecondary degree, such as from a college or vocational school.

Employers generally look for candidates who have a strong background in science and mathematics, especially algebra and trigonometry.

Training

Power plant operators and dispatchers typically need several years of onsite training and experience to become fully competent in the job. Fully qualified operators and dispatchers must take regular training to keep their skills up to date.

Nuclear power plant operators typically receive formal technical training to prepare for the license exam from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Once licensed, operators are authorized to control equipment that affects the power of the reactor in a nuclear power plant. Operators continue frequent onsite training, which familiarizes them with new monitoring systems, plant equipment, and preparation for emergency scenarios.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Nuclear power reactor operators must be licensed through the NRC. They typically begin working as unlicensed operators in nuclear power plants, where they gain the required knowledge and experience to start the licensing process. To become licensed, operators must meet training and experience requirements, pass a medical exam, and pass the NRC licensing exam. To keep their license, operators must pass annual and periodic exams. Licenses are not transferrable between plants, so an operator must get a new license to work in another facility.

Some power plant operators may be licensed by state licensing boards as stationary engineers, boiler operators, or firefighters. Requirements vary by state and depend on the specific job functions that the operator performs.

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers who are in positions that could affect the power grid may need to be certified through the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s System Operator Certification Program. 

Other Experience

Nuclear power reactor operators gain experience working as a nuclear equipment operator or in a related occupation, such as nuclear technician or technician in a nonnuclear power-generating facility. Other nuclear power reactor operators gain experience by serving in a related role in the U.S. Navy.

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers may gain experience in plant operations and maintenance activities by working as a technician at a power-generating facility.

Advancement

With training and experience, power plant operators and power plant distributors and dispatchers may become shift supervisors, trainers, or consultants.

Licensed nuclear power reactor operators may advance to become senior reactor operators, who supervise the operation of all controls in the control room. Senior reactor operators also may become plant managers or licensed operator instructors.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers may work on a team and must provide clear instructions on operating procedures, on repairs, and when responding to emergencies.

Detail oriented. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must carefully monitor controls and machinery to ensure that everything is working properly.

Dexterity. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must use precise and repeated motions when operating equipment in a control room.

Mechanical skills. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must know how to use tools and to work with machines. They must be familiar with how to operate, repair, and maintain equipment.

Problem-solving skills. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must find and troubleshoot problems that arise with equipment or controls.

Pay About this section

Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers

Median annual wages, May 2023

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers

$100,890

Plant and system operators

$67,100

Total, all occupations

$48,060

 

The median annual wage for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was $100,890 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $132,540.

Median annual wages for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers in May 2023 were as follows:

Nuclear power reactor operators $120,350
Power distributors and dispatchers 104,750
Power plant operators 97,010

In May 2023, the median annual wages for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Utilities $102,120
Government 100,770

Most power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts. Work on rotating shifts, which may involve day or night work schedules that alternate over a specified time, can be stressful because of the constant changes in living and sleeping patterns.

Job Outlook About this section

Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Total, all occupations

4%

Plant and system operators

-4%

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers

-8%

 

Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 8 percent from 2023 to 2033.

Despite declining employment, about 3,800 openings for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Although electricity use is expected to increase, technological advances and greater efficiency are expected to reduce employment in these occupations. Projected employment varies by occupation (see table).

Power plants are becoming more efficient and, in many cases, have higher electricity-generating capacity. Modernized control rooms in power plants also will provide workers with more information and will automate some tasks. As a result, power plant operators will be more efficient, which limits the opportunity for new jobs.

Similarly, efficiency gains are expected to impact nuclear power reactor operators’ employment. Nuclear power faces steep competition from renewable energy sources, making new, traditional reactors less attractive as many of the existing reactors reach the end of their lifecycles.

Employment of power distributors and dispatchers is projected to decline due to advances in smart-grid technology. Some dispatcher tasks, such as rerouting power during an outage, lend themselves to automation. However, some distributors and dispatchers will still be needed to manage the complex electrical grid.

Employment projections data for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers

51-8010 47,400 43,600 -8 -3,800 Get data

Nuclear power reactor operators

51-8011 5,800 5,200 -10 -600 Get data

Power distributors and dispatchers

51-8012 9,200 9,100 -1 -100 Get data

Power plant operators

51-8013 32,400 29,300 -9 -3,100 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

High school diploma or equivalent $54,890
Stationary engineers and boiler operators Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment.

High school diploma or equivalent $67,640
Construction equipment operators Construction Equipment Operators

Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings, and other structures.

High school diploma or equivalent $55,270
Electricians Electricians

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.

High school diploma or equivalent $61,590
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment.

See How to Become One $67,220
Line installers and repairers Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Electrical power-line installers and repairers install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.

High school diploma or equivalent $85,420
Hazardous materials removal workers Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of harmful substances such as asbestos, lead, and radioactive waste.

High school diploma or equivalent $47,280
Nuclear technicians Nuclear Technicians

Nuclear technicians assist physicists, engineers, and other scientists in nuclear power generation and production activities, such as operating or maintaining nuclear testing equipment.

Associate's degree $101,740

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about power plant operators, nuclear power reactor operators, and power plant distributors and dispatchers, visit

American Public Power Association

Center for Energy Workforce Development

For more information on nuclear power reactor operators, including licensing, visit

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Nuclear Energy Institute

For information on certification for power distributors and dispatchers, visit

North American Electric Reliability Corporation

O*NET

Biomass Plant Technicians

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Power Plant Operators

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/power-plant-operators-distributors-and-dispatchers.htm (visited October 30, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Monday, September 30, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.