Occupation Summary

Power Plant Operators

O*NET 51-8013.00

Description:

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

Annual Wages:
$90,272.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by -8.40%.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
  2. Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
  3. Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
  4. Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
  5. Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
  6. Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
  7. Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
  8. 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.
  9. Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
  10. Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
  11. Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
  12. Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
  13. Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
  14. Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
  15. Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
  16. Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
  17. Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
  18. Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
  19. Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
  20. Operate, control, or monitor equipment, such as acid or gas carbon dioxide removal units, carbon dioxide compressors, or pipelines, to capture, store, or transport carbon dioxide exhaust.
  21. Operate, control, or monitor gasifiers or related equipment, such as coolers, water quenches, water gas shifts reactors, or sulfur recovery units, to produce syngas or electricity from coal.
  22. Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.
  23. Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.
  24. Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.
  25. Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.
  26. Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
  27. Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
  28. Repair or replace gas piping.
  29. Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.
  30. Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Power Plant Operators employed Annual Growth Rate
Electric power generation, transmission and distribution 70.7 -1.76
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 2.6 0.00


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $43.40
2023 National average hourly wage $44.17
2022 National employment 32,200
2022 Texas employment 3,822
Texas projected employment by 2032 3,501
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 269




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
79.60%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
73.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
72.40%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
68.00%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
64.80%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
61.40%
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
60.00%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
56.80%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
55.80%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
55.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
80.00%
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
77.60%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
75.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
67.60%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
65.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
65.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
65.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
62.40%
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
62.40%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
62.40%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
77.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
75.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
72.40%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
65.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
65.00%
Perceptual Speed
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
65.00%
Flexibility of Closure
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
62.40%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
62.40%


  • Controlling Machines and Processes
    -- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
    -- Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Other Activities


  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Absorbent booms: Absorbers;

Adjustable widemouth pliers: Adjustable widemouth pliers;

Adjustable wrenches: Adjustable hand wrenches;

Air compressors: Air compressors;

Air dryers: Coal dryers;

Air samplers or collectors: Air samplers;

Air scrubbers: Dry scrubber systems; Flue gas desulferization systems;

Alarm systems: Annunciators;

All terrain vehicles tracked or wheeled: All terrain vehicles ATV;

Anemometers: Micro anemometers;

Backhoes: Backhoes;

Belt conveyors: Belt conveyors;

Blowers: Blowers; Soot blowers;

Boiler or heater igniter: Igniters;

Brushless motor DC: Brushless direct current DC motors;

Bucket conveyors: Bucket elevators;

Catalytic combustion analyzers: Catalytic sensors;

Chain conveyors: Chain conveyors;

Claw hammer: Claw hammers;

Combustible or hazardous gas detectors for power generators: Gas detectors; Combustible gas monitors;

Commercial water heaters: Water heaters;

Condensing units: Condensers; Steam condensers;

Conductivity meters: Conductivity probes;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Diesel generators: Diesel driven generators;

Digital readout recorders: Digital readouts;

Dump trucks: Dump trucks;

Electrical control panels for generators: Control boards; Panel boards; Transformer controls;

Electrical or power regulators: Unit governors;

Electrostatic apparatus: Excitation systems;

Evaporative coolers: Cooling towers;

Facial shields: Air filtration mask;

Fire tube boilers: Fire tube boilers;

Fixed screens: Screens;

Flare or vent stacks: Open flares; Enclosed flares;

Flow transmitters: Flow transmitters;

Flowmeters: Turbine flow meters; Flow meters; Flow monitoring equipment;

Gas detectors: Gas leak detectors;

Gas generators: Gas generators; Portable gas-powered generators;

Gasoline engines: Combustion engines;

Graphic recorders: Digital panel meters; Analog panel meters;

Grease guns: Grease dispensing guns; Grease guns;

Hand pumps: Hand sampling pumps;

Hard hats: Hard hats;

Heat exchangers: Shell and tube heat exchangers; Plate exchangers; Fin fan heat exchangers;

Heat pumps: Heat pumps;

Impact crushers: Impact crushers;

Infrared imagers: Infrared analyzers;

Level sensors or transmitters: Level transmitters;

Light trucks or sport utility vehicles: Utility trucks;

Limit switch: Limit switches;

Mainframe computers: Mainframe computers;

Motor compressors: Motor compressors;

Multi gas monitors: Multiple gas monitors;

Notebook computers: Notebook computers;

Oil filters: Oil filters;

Oil gun: Oil guns;

Oxygen gas analyzers: Oxygen analyzers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Portable data input terminals: Dataloggers;

Power supply transformers: Power transformers;

Pressure indicators: Steam gauges; Water gauges;

Pressure sensors: Pressure gauges;

Pressure transmitters: Pressure transmitters;

Process air heaters: Attemperators; Air heaters;

Pulverizing machinery: Pulverizers;

Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessories: Self-contained breathing apparatus;

Rotameters: Rotameters;

Safety valves: Pressure valves;

Sampling pumps: Purge pumps;

Screw conveyor: Screw conveyors;

Screwdrivers: Straight screwdrivers; Phillips head screwdrivers;

Sight flow windows: Boiler gauge glasses;

Signal converters: Signal converters;

Skid steer loaders: Skid steer loaders;

Steam engines: Steam distribution systems; Steam turbines;

Steam generators: Steam driven turbogenerators; Heat recovery steam generators;

Substation load control switchgears: Electrical switch gear;

Switchyard disconnect switches: Switch yard equipment;

Temperature transmitters: Temperature sensors; Temperature transmitters;

Thermal engines: Geothermal binary turbines;

Touch screen monitors: Touch screen monitors;

Turbine engines: Combustion turbines;

Vacuum pumps: Vacuum pumps;

Venturis: Orifice plates;

Vibration testers: Vibration monitors;

Water filters: Water filters;

Water pumps: Water pumps;

Water purification equipment: Water treatment equipment;

Water samplers: Water samplers;

Water softening accessories: Water softeners;

Water tube boiler: Circulating fluidized bed CFB boilers;

Wet scrubbers: Wet scrubbers; Selective catalytic reactors; Selective non-catalytic reactors;


Technology

Analytical or scientific software: Landfill gas analysis software; Landtec System Software LFG Pro;

Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access; Operational Data Store ODS software;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook; Email software;

Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software;

Facilities management software: Computerized maintenance management system CMMS;

Industrial control software: Continuous emissions monitoring systems CEMS; Distributed control system DCS; Safety instrumented system SIS software; Emerson Ovation; Gas field monitoring system software; General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS; General Electric Mark VI Integrated Control System ICS; Interlock shutdown systems; Siemens Power Plant Automation SPPA; Siemens Teleperm; Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software; Teknik Segala OSI Plant Information PI System; Yokogawa FAST/TOOLS;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Operating system software;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Power Plant Operators include:
  • 51-8013.03 Biomass Plant Technicians
  • 51-8091.00 Chemical Plant and System Operators
  • 53-7071.00 Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
  • 51-8092.00 Gas Plant Operators
  • 49-9099.01 Geothermal Technicians
  • 51-8013.04 Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
  • 51-8093.00 Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
  • 51-8012.00 Power Distributors and Dispatchers
  • 51-8021.00 Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
  • 51-8031.00 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about power plant operators, nuclear power reactor operators, and power plant distributors and dispatchers, visit: American Public Power Association
  • Center for Energy Workforce Development
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • For more information on nuclear power reactor operators, including licensing, visit: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • Nuclear Energy Institute
  • For information on certification for power distributors and dispatchers, visit: North American Electric Reliability Corporation
  • Biomass Plant Technicians
  • Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
  • Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
  • Power Distributors and Dispatchers
  • Power Plant Operators

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.