Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Also called: Auxiliary Operator, Board Operator, Control Area Operator, Control Board Operator, Control Operator, Control Room Operator
Median pay
$106,730
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$72,440 – $154,270
People employed
8,520
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · 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 repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
Power Distributors and Dispatchers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (38 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What power distributors and dispatchers do
- 01Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
- 02Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
- 03Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
- 04Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.
- 05Distribute 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.
- 06Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- A professional certification is often expected.
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 power distributors and dispatchers
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- Hydroelectric Production Managers77% · group pay
- Air Traffic Controllers77% · +39%
- Commercial Pilots73% · +15%
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Change into power distributors and dispatchers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Traffic Technicians84% · $59,090
- Hydroelectric Production Managers81% · $126,060
- Energy Auditors79% · $74,690
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians77% · $110,240
- Nuclear Technicians76% · $110,240