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Jobs / Production and manufacturing / 51-8013.00

Power Plant Operators

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

US jobs
29,320
Median wage
$102,040 a year
Job family
Production and manufacturing

Can agents do the work of power plant operators?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Production and manufacturing: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 27%Operate energy production or distribution equipmentNot measured
  • 8%Maintain operational recordsNot measured
  • 7%Maintain tools or equipmentNot measured
  • 5%Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
  • 5%Operate pumping systems or equipmentNot measured
  • 5%Monitor equipment operationNot measured
  • 5%Communicate with others about operational plans or activitiesNot measured
  • 5%Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areasNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in production and manufacturing, not always this occupation's tasks.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
  • Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
  • Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
  • Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
  • Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
  • Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
  • Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
  • 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.
  • Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
  • Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
  • Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
  • Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
Other job titles for this occupation (80)

Auxiliary Operator · Control Operator · Control Room Operator · Multicraft Operator (MCO) · Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech) · Plant Control Operator · Plant Operator · Power Plant Operator · Station Operator · Unit Operator · Asphalt Plant Operator · Auxiliary Equipment Tender · Auxiliary Power Equipment Operator · Batch Plant Operator · Booster Operator · Booster Plant Operator · Booster Pump Operator · Carbon Capture Power Plant Engineer · Carbon Capture Power Plant Operator · Carbon Sequestration Plant Engineer · Carbon Sequestration Plant Operator · Coal Gasification Technician (Coal Gasification Tech) · Cogeneration Technician (Cogeneration Tech) · Control Center Operator · Electric Operator · Energy and Sustainability Manager · Energy Manager · Energy Program Manager · 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 Operator · Hydrogen Power Plant Engineer · ICE Technician (Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical Systems Technician) · Instrument and Control Technician (Instrument and Control Tech) · Landfill Gas Collecting System Technician (Landfill Gas Collecting System Tech) · Landfill Gas Collection System Technician (Landfill Gas Collection System Tech) · Landfill Gas Generating System Technician (Landfill Gas Generating System Tech) · Landfill Gas Generation System Technician (Landfill Gas Generation System Tech) · Landfill Gas Plant Field Technician (Landfill Gas Plant Field Tech) · Landfill Gas Systems Monitor · Landfill Gas Technician (Landfill Gas Tech) · Methane Gas Generating System Technician (Methane Gas Generating System Tech) · Methane Gas Generation System Technician (Methane Gas Generation System Tech) · Natural Gas Technician (Natural Gas Tech) · Operations and Maintenance Specialist (O and M Specialist) · Operations and Management Technician (Operations and Management Tech) · Operator · Outside Plant Technician (Outside Plant Tech) · Pilot Plant Technician (Pilot Plant Tech) · Plant Technician (Plant Tech) · Power Generating Plant Operator · Power Generation Technician (Power Generation Tech) · Power Operator · Power Plant Control Room Operator · Power Plant Technician (Power Plant Tech) · Power Station Operator · Powerhouse Attendant · Powerhouse Operator · Powerhouse Tender · Production Generalist · Rectifier · Rectifier Operator · Relief Operator · Renewable Energy Manager · Shift Operator · Solar Energy Manager · Station Tender · Steam Turbine Operator · Turbine Operator · Turbine Room Attendant · Turbo Electric Operator · Turbo Operator · Utility Plant Operator · Water Plant Operator