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Career overview · SOC 51-8013

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.

Also called: Hydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech) · Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech) · Hydroelectric Mechanic · Hydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician) · Hydroelectric Operator · Hydroelectric Plant Mechanic

Median pay (national)
$99,670
$59,930–$128,760 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
30,720
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-11.2%
~2,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for hydroelectric plant technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $128,760 versus $59,930 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $99,670 leaves roughly 29% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -11.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $124,050, +24% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $63,270 — a 96% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
  • Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
  • Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks.
  • Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors, transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps, gates, or valves.
  • Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions.
  • Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.

Tools & technology

  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Distributed control system DCS
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Mechanical
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Education and Training
  • Design
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language