Power Plant Operators
Tasks Include:
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: -5.6%
National: -15.4%
Education
High School Diploma
Job Zone:
Two: Some Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$93,060.00
State
$68,280.00
Regional
Power Plant Operators
Description
Career Cluster: | Manufacturing |
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Education
Required Level of Education
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 73.67%
- Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) = 20.94%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 3.40%
- Some College Courses = 1.62%
- Bachelor's Degree = 0.37%
Related Work Experience
- None = 30.50%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 18.98%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 16.66%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 16.47%
- Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 6.44%
- Over 10 years = 6.44%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 3.40%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 1.12%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 19.56%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 17.83%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 14.16%
- Up to and including 1 month = 10.88%
- Over 10 years = 10.24%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 8.32%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 7.84%
- None = 6.44%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 4.73%
On-the-Job Training
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 22.75%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 16.75%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 15.52%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 14.29%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 12.10%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 11.89%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 6.08%
- Over 10 years = 0.62%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
- Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
- Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
- Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
- Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
- Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
- Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
- Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
- Operate, control, or monitor equipment, such as acid or gas carbon dioxide removal units, carbon dioxide compressors, or pipelines, to capture, store, or transport carbon dioxide exhaust.
- Operate, control, or monitor gasifiers or related equipment, such as coolers, water quenches, water gas shifts reactors, or sulfur recovery units, to produce syngas or electricity from coal.
- Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.
Tasks Include:
- Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.
- Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.
- Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.
- Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
- Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
- Repair or replace gas piping.
- Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.
- Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Tools and Technology
Tools Include:
- Absorbent booms (Absorbers)
- Facial shields (Air filtration mask)
- Process air heaters (Air heaters)
- Graphic recorders (Analog panel meters)
- Alarm systems (Annunciators)
- Process air heaters (Attemperators)
- Belt conveyors
- Blowers
- Sight flow windows (Boiler gauge glasses)
- Bucket conveyors (Bucket elevators)
- Catalytic combustion analyzers (Catalytic sensors)
- Chain conveyors
- Water tube boiler (Circulating fluidized bed CFB boilers)
- Air dryers (Coal dryers)
- Gas engines (Combustion engines)
- Turbine engines (Combustion turbines)
- Condensing units (Condensers)
- Conductivity meters (Conductivity probes)
- Low voltage alternating and direct current AC DC panelboards (Control boards)
- Evaporative coolers (Cooling towers)
- Desktop computers
- Diesel generators (Diesel driven generators)
- Graphic recorders (Digital panel meters)
- Digital readout recorders (Digital readouts)
- Direct current DC motors
- Air scrubbers (Dry scrubber systems)
- Substation load control switchgears (Electrical switch gear)
- Electrostatic apparatus (Excitation systems)
- Heat exchangers (Fin fan heat exchangers)
- Fire tube boilers
- Flowmeters (Flow meters)
- Flow transmitters
- Air scrubbers (Flue gas desulferization systems)
- Combustible or hazardous gas detectors for power generators (Gas detectors)
- Gas generators
- Thermal engines (Geothermal binary turbines)
- Grease guns
- Hard hats
- Heat pumps
- Steam generators (Heat recovery steam generators)
- Boiler or Heater Ignitor (Igniters)
- Impact crushers
- Level sensors or transmitters (Level transmitters)
- Limit switches
- Mainframe computers
- Motor compressors
- Oil filters
- Oil gun (Oil guns)
- Venturis (Orifice plates)
- Low voltage alternating and direct current AC DC panelboards (Panel boards)
- Heat exchangers (Plate exchangers)
- Power supply transformers (Power transformers)
- Pressure transmitters
- Pulverizing machinery (Pulverizers)
- Sampling pumps (Purge pumps)
- Rotameters
- Fixed screens (Screens)
- Conveyor screw (Screw conveyors)
- Wet scrubbers (Selective catalytic reactors)
- Wet scrubbers (Selective non-catalytic reactors)
- Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessories (Self-contained breathing apparatus)
- Heat exchangers (Shell and tube heat exchangers)
- Signal converters
- Blowers (Soot blowers)
- Condensing units (Steam condensers)
- Steam engines (Steam distribution systems)
- Steam generators (Steam driven turbogenerators)
- Pressure indicators (Steam gauges)
- Steam engines (Steam turbines)
- Switchyard disconnect switches (Switch yard equipment)
- Temperature transmitters
- Touch screen monitors
- Low voltage alternating and direct current AC DC panelboards (Transformer controls)
- Flowmeters (Turbine flow meters)
- Electrical or power regulators (Unit governors)
- Vacuum pumps
- Vibration testers (Vibration monitors)
- Water filters
- Pressure indicators (Water gauges)
- Commercial water heaters (Water heaters)
- Water pumps
- Water softening accessories (Water softeners)
- Water purification equipment (Water treatment equipment)
- Wet scrubbers
Technologies Include:
- Data base user interface and query software
- Microsoft Access
- Electronic mail software
- Email software
- Facilities management software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS software
- Industrial control software
- Continuous emissions monitoring systems CEMS software
- Distributed control systems DCS software
- Emerson Ovation
- Gas field monitoring system software
- General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS
- General Electric Mark VI Integrated Control System ICS
- Interlock shutdown systems
- Safety instrumented system SIS software
- Siemens Power Plant Automation SPPA
- Siemens Teleperm
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Teknik Segala OSI Plant Information PI System
- Yokogawa FAST/TOOLS
- Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
54.25 | Mechanical | Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
75.00 | Operations Monitoring | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
72.00 | Operation and Control | Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
72.00 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
62.50 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
59.50 | 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. |
59.50 | Quality Control Analysis | Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. |
56.25 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
56.25 | Troubleshooting | Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. |
56.25 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
53.00 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
53.00 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
50.00 | Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
50.00 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
75.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
72.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
72.00 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. |
68.75 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
65.50 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
59.50 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
59.50 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
56.25 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
56.25 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
56.25 | Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
56.25 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
53.00 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
53.00 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
53.00 | Auditory Attention | The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds. |
53.00 | Flexibility of Closure | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
53.00 | Finger Dexterity | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
50.00 | Time Sharing | The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources). |
50.00 | Control Precision | The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
50.00 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
50.00 | Far Vision | The ability to see details at a distance. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
84.75 | Controlling Machines and Processes | Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
82.25 | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials | Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
80.75 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
80.00 | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
77.00 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
74.75 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
72.75 | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
72.00 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
68.25 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
67.50 | Working with Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
64.25 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
63.75 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
62.25 | Performing General Physical Activities | Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
61.50 | Handling and Moving Objects | Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
61.50 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
60.25 | Training and Teaching Others | Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
58.75 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
55.25 | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. |
53.25 | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
53.25 | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment | Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
52.00 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
52.00 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
51.00 | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
50.75 | Coaching and Developing Others | Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
84.25 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
80.50 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
80.00 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
76.25 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
71.25 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
71.00 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
69.50 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
68.75 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
68.25 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
68.25 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
65.25 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
63.25 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
61.75 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
61.50 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
58.00 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
52.75 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
77.83 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
66.67 | Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
100.00 | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? |
97.80 | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable | How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
96.00 | Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? |
94.00 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
92.80 | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? |
90.40 | Consequence of Error | How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? |
90.20 | Exposed to Contaminants | How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
90.00 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
88.20 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
87.20 | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? |
86.80 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
86.20 | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? |
85.20 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
85.00 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
83.00 | Exposed to High Places | How often does this job require exposure to high places? |
82.20 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
81.80 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
81.20 | Outdoors, Exposed to Weather | How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions? |
80.60 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
78.20 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
78.00 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
77.60 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
76.60 | Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting | How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions? |
74.80 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
73.20 | Outdoors, Under Cover | How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (e.g., structure with roof but no walls)? |
72.40 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
71.60 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
69.40 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
66.80 | Spend Time Standing | How much does this job require standing? |
63.60 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
62.00 | Degree of Automation | How automated is the job? |
60.60 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
60.60 | Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings? |
60.00 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
59.80 | Spend Time Walking and Running | How much does this job require walking and running? |
58.80 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
57.00 | Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | How much does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection? |
57.00 | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) |
56.80 | Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions? |
56.20 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
53.20 | Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body | How much does this job require bending or twisting your body? |
53.00 | In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment | How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? |
51.80 | In an Open Vehicle or Equipment | How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)? |
51.00 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
50.80 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $52,000.00 | $93,060.00 | $104,720.00 |
Virginia | $44,100.00 | $68,280.00 | $87,100.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Bay Consortium | $53,503.78 | $83,498.24 | $100,471.34 |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $43,304.49 | $48,866.32 | $57,231.46 |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | $43,508.75 | $48,572.44 | $80,289.53 |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $47,734.57 | $86,203.60 | $85,181.27 |
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Piedmont Workforce | $92,534.51 | $109,310.65 | $111,252.13 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | $41,188.98 | $51,015.18 | $73,007.16 |
Southwestern Virginia | $72,658.05 | $89,277.87 | $89,277.87 |
West Piedmont | $69,714.04 | $90,845.23 | $89,135.10 |
Western Virginia | $55,678.69 | $66,738.77 | $77,229.85 |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 29,200 | 24,700 | -15.4% |
Virginia | 466 | 440 | -5.6% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Geothermal Technicians
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Gas Plant Operators
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
- Chemical Plant and System Operators
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians
- Nuclear Technicians
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Wellhead Pumpers
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Careers in Production Pathway:
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Butchers and Meat Cutters
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Chemical Plant and System Operators
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Dental Laboratory Technicians
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Etchers and Engravers
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
- Food Batchmakers
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
- Food Processing Workers, All Other
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
- Furniture Finishers
- Gas Plant Operators
- Gem and Diamond Workers
- Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Helpers--Production Workers
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers
- Machinists
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
- Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
- Model Makers, Wood
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
- Patternmakers, Wood
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
- Plant and System Operators, All Other
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Potters, Manufacturing
- Pourers and Casters, Metal
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Power Plant Operators
- Production Workers, All Other
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
- Semiconductor Processing Technicians
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Sewers, Hand
- Sewing Machine Operators
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
- Team Assemblers
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
- Tire Builders
- Tool and Die Makers
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
- Upholsterers
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Woodworkers, All Other
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
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Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Military Training
The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:
- Auxiliaries
- Electric Power
- Nuclear Power
- Aerospace Propulsion
- EM-Electrician's Mate
- MM-Machinist's Mate
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Titles
- Auxiliary Equipment Tender
- Auxiliary Operator
- Auxiliary Power Equipment Operator
- Boiler Operator
- Booster Operator
- Booster Plant Operator
- Booster Pump Operator
- Carbon Capture Power Plant Engineer
- Carbon Capture Power Plant Manager
- Carbon Capture Power Plant Operator
- Carbon Sequestration Plant Engineer
- Carbon Sequestration Plant Manager
- Carbon Sequestration Plant Operator
- Coal Gasification Technician
- Cogeneration Technician
- Control Center Operator
- Control Operator
- Control Room Operator
- Diesel Plant Operator
- Electric Operator
- Equipment Operator
- Generator Operator
- High Pressure Firer
- Hydro Plant Operator
- Hydro Station Operator
- Hydroelectric Operator
- Hydroelectric Plant Operator
- Hydroelectric Plant Power Generation Engineer
- Hydroelectric Station Operator
- Hydrogen Plant Operations Manager
- Hydrogen Plant Operator
- Hydrogen Power Plant Engineer
- Hydrogen Power Plant Manager
- Instrument/Control Technician
- Instrumentation/Controls/Electrical Systems Technician (ICE Technician)
- Operations and Maintenance Gas Turbine Technician
- Operations and Maintenance Technician (O & M Technician)
- Plant Control Operator
- Power Generating Plant Operator
- Power Operator
- Power Plant Control Room Operator
- Power Plant Operator
- Power Plant Technician
- Power Station Operator
- Powerhouse Attendent
- Powerhouse Operator
- Powerhouse Tender
- Process Operator
- Rectifier
- Rectifier Operator
- Station Operator
- Station Tender
- Stationary Engineer
- Steam Turbine Operator
- Turbine Operator
- Turbine Room Attendant
- Turbo Electric Operator
- Turbo Operator
- Unit Operator
- Utility Plant Operative
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Power Plant Operators
Related Schools
- Excelsior College
- Flint Hills Technical College
- Maine Maritime Academy
- Northland Pioneer College
- Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
- State Technical College of Missouri
- Utah State University
- Williamson College of the Trades
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)