Occupation · SOC 51-8013
Power Plant Operators
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Median wage
$99,670
$59,930–$128,760
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
30,720
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
40 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingSpeakingMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingWritingTroubleshootingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationTime ManagementSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningEquipment SelectionService OrientationLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesPersuasionInstructingScienceNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
MechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingChemistryPhysicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementTelecommunicationsComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentMathematicsAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesBuilding and ConstructionTransportationPsychologyCustomer and Personal ServiceCommunications and MediaMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingBiologyGeographyPhilosophy and TheologySociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologySales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguageFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Computerized maintenance management system CMMSContinuous emissions monitoring systems CEMSDistributed control system DCSEmail softwareEmerson OvationGas field monitoring system softwareGeneral Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCSGeneral Electric Mark VI Integrated Control System ICSInterlock shutdown systemsLandfill gas analysis softwareLandtec System Software LFG ProMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordOperating system softwareOperational Data Store ODS softwareSAP softwareSafety instrumented system SIS softwareSiemens Power Plant Automation SPPASiemens TelepermSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareTeknik Segala OSI Plant Information PI SystemWeb browser softwareYokogawa FAST/TOOLS
Representative tasks
Controlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentGetting InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsTraining and Teaching OthersProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyWorking with ComputersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoaching and Developing OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeScheduling Work and ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsAssisting and Caring for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Control board indicators and gauge readings — identify and report normal versus abnormal values under direct supervisor guidance during a power plant shift.Generator output controls — observe and assist in matching phase, frequency, and voltage to panel requirements under close technician supervision.Power plant equipment start and stop sequences — follow written step-by-step procedures to start or stop generators and auxiliary pumping units with direct oversight.Valves and switches — open and close in prescribed sequences to initiate or shut down auxiliary units as directed by a senior operator.Boiler, turbine, and reactor status — monitor assigned control board instruments and verbally report deviations to a lead operator in real time.Auxiliary equipment including pumps, fans, and filters — assist in routine operation under supervision to supply water, fuel, and lubricants as needed.Regulatory log entries — record chart, meter, and gauge readings at scheduled intervals using established forms and under direct instruction.Facilities management and industrial control software — navigate basic screens and enter data entries with guidance from an experienced operator.Safety and emergency protocols — recognize posted hazard warnings and follow established shutdown checklists in a live plant environment.Hand tools and basic maintenance instruments — use under supervision to support routine equipment inspection tasks on power plant auxiliary systems.
developing
Generator output — adjust phase, frequency, and voltage controls with limited supervision to maintain stable electricity supply to distribution panels.Charts, meters, and gauges — take scheduled regulatory readings and initiate corrective actions within established operating parameters during a standard shift.Control boards and semi-automatic equipment — operate to manage boilers, turbines, and generators through routine load changes with minimal direction.Auxiliary equipment including compressors, condensers, and feedwater heaters — maintain and adjust independently to sustain proper plant support functions.Equipment malfunctions — apply basic troubleshooting steps to identify the source of operating problems and escalate non-routine issues appropriately.Valve and switch sequences — execute startup and shutdown procedures for auxiliary units from memory, cross-checking against written procedures as needed.Distributed power generation equipment such as fuel cells and microturbines — operate under general supervision to produce on-site energy for facility use.Shift logs and compliance documentation — complete accurately using industrial control software and word processing tools at the end of each operating cycle.Oral communication with shift supervisors — relay equipment status and emerging concerns clearly and promptly during handover briefings.Routine preventive maintenance tasks — perform on pumps, filters, and fans according to scheduled maintenance plans with occasional supervisor check-ins.
proficient
Generator output stability — autonomously control and fine-tune phase, frequency, and voltage across varying load conditions to match panel requirements throughout a full shift.Abnormal plant conditions — apply critical thinking and deductive reasoning to diagnose complex equipment problems and implement corrective actions without supervisor direction.Full range of power generating equipment — operate boilers, turbines, generators, and reactors across all load states using control boards and semi-automatic systems independently.Startup and shutdown evolutions — lead the complete sequencing of generators, turbines, and auxiliary pumping equipment safely under both planned and emergency conditions.Distributed energy systems including microturbines and fuel cells — operate and maintain on-site generation assets to meet commercial or manufacturing energy demands.Regulatory compliance actions — evaluate meter and chart data, identify deviations, and execute required corrective or reporting actions within mandated timeframes.Auxiliary system integrity — monitor and maintain pumps, compressors, condensers, chlorinators, and filters to ensure uninterrupted supply of water, fuel, lubricants, and air.Equipment repair and maintenance — troubleshoot mechanical failures, coordinate or perform repairs, and verify restored operation meets plant performance standards.Industrial control and analytical software — use advanced system features to trend operational data, identify efficiency gaps, and support shift performance reviews.Cross-shift coordination — communicate technical findings and handover information precisely to oncoming crews to maintain continuity of safe plant operations.
advanced
Plant-wide operational strategy — direct daily and long-term operations of all generating and auxiliary systems to meet safety, regulatory, and production targets at organizational scale.Operating procedure development — author and revise control board procedures, startup and shutdown checklists, and emergency response protocols based on operational experience and regulatory updates.Workforce training and mentorship — design and deliver structured on-the-job training for emerging and developing operators on control systems, equipment operation, and safety compliance.Complex and non-routine incident response — lead multi-crew troubleshooting and recovery efforts for major equipment failures or grid disturbances, exercising senior judgment under pressure.Regulatory and compliance oversight — interpret new public safety and environmental regulations, assess plant impact, and implement procedural changes across the operating team.Performance monitoring and quality control — analyze operational data trends using analytical and facilities management software to identify reliability risks and drive continuous improvement.Distributed generation integration — evaluate and oversee the deployment and optimization of fuel cell and microturbine assets within the broader plant energy management strategy.Interdepartmental coordination — represent plant operations in cross-functional meetings with engineering, maintenance, and management teams to align on outage planning and capital projects.Operator competency assessment — evaluate staff proficiency at each mastery level, recommend advancement or additional training, and maintain qualification records for regulatory audits.Safety culture leadership — model and reinforce cautiousness, integrity, and stress-tolerance standards across all shifts, ensuring plant personnel uphold operational discipline in all conditions.
Also known as
81 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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