Biomass Power Plant Managers
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
Also called: Biomass Plant Manager, Biomass Power Plant Manager, Biomass Power Plant Superintendent, Biomass Production Manager, Demand Generator Manager, Fuel Manager
Median pay
$126,060
Pay for the broader BLS group “Industrial Production Managers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$78,000 – $205,520
People employed
246,250
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CRE
Conventional · Realistic · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 6.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Biomass Power Plant Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Industrial Production Managers”.
What biomass power plant managers do
- 01Manage safety programs at power generation facilities.
- 02Review biomass operations performance specifications to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- 03Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels and safe production environments or to identify abnormalities with power production equipment or processes.
- 04Supervise operations or maintenance employees in the production of power from biomass, such as wood, coal, paper sludge, or other waste or refuse.
- 05Supervise biomass plant or substation operations, maintenance, repair, or testing activities.
- 06Shut down and restart biomass power plants or equipment in emergency situations or for equipment maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Personnel and Human Resources
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 10 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from biomass power plant managers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers79% · group pay
- Construction Managers74% · —
- Industrial Engineers73% · —
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers73% · —
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers72% · —
Change into biomass power plant managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Wind Energy Operations Managers80% · $141,900
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers75% · $171,270
- Construction Managers74% · $114,990
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers71% · $74,450
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers70% · $89,900
Majors that lead here
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering/Industrial Management
- Clinical and Industrial Drug Development
- Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management
- Operations Management and Supervision
- Science/Technology Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.