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Skilled Trades

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.

Median salary (BLS)

$102,040

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$62k – $132k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 3 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Junior Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $61,790

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

    Established

    $102,040

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

    Senior

    $116,990

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
  • •Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
  • •Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
  • •Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
  • •Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.