Jobs / Physical work / 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
- Physical work
Can agents do the work of power plant operators?
We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Physical work:
- Task levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.
- Project levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.
Unexplored territory
No benchmark in this atlas covers this work yet.
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