Select Region Rural Capital AreaRural Capital Area + Travis County Career Profile Power Plant Operator Education HS diploma or less This is the typical education required for this occupation. Earnings $82,100 This is the median salary for this occupation. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. General Information Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Excludes Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (51-8011). Watch a brief video about this occupation. Watch Video Power Plant Operator Occupational Outlook For the Rural Capital Area 9 Job Opportunities Over the next five years, an average of 9 openings per year are projected for Power Plant Operator. +11.6% Employment Change Employment for Power Plant Operator is forecasted to increase on par with the regional average by 11.6% between 2025 and 2030. $39.47 Earnings Potential The typical worker in this occupation is paid $39.47/hour. Entry level workers are paid $25.20, while experienced workers are paid $53.32. The median wage is significantly above the wage across all occupations. Local Employment Opportunities There are 79 Power Plant Operator in the Rural Capital Area region. By 2030 this number could reach 89. Top Employing Industries, Locally The top industries employing Power Plant Operator are Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, All Other Industries, and Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support. Knowledge Areas The top most significant knowledge categories for Power Plant Operator include Mechanical, Public Safety and Security, and Production and Processing. Educational Attainment Patterns The most common level of education for Power Plant Operator is Some college, no degree. 38% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree. Sources: Headlight Data BLS Lightcast®
