Power Plant Operators
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Also called: Asphalt Plant Operator, Auxiliary Equipment Tender, Auxiliary Operator, Auxiliary Power Equipment Operator, Batch Plant Operator, Booster Operator
Median pay
$102,040
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$61,790 – $131,940
People employed
29,320
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
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 with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 4.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 5.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Work outdoors in all weather
Power Plant Operators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What power plant operators do
- 01Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- 02Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- 03Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- 04Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- 05Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- 06Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
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 a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
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 plant operators
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators81% · −24%
- Nuclear Technicians77% · +8%
- Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation76% · group pay
- Wellhead Pumpers73% · −31%
- Ship Engineers73% · +7%
Change into power plant operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators93% · $77,320
- Geothermal Technicians90% · $49,230
- Wellhead Pumpers89% · $69,960
- Nuclear Technicians85% · $110,240
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers85% · $61,770
Majors that lead here
- Power Plant Technology/Technician
- Hydroelectric Energy Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.