Power Plant Operators
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Power Plant Operators to decrease by -5.1% between 2024 and 2034, from 29,800 to 28,300 jobs. Its estimate of 2,300 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($102,040), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
29,800
Projected employment (2034)
28,300
Projected change (2024–2034)
-5%
Annual openings (projected average)
2,300
Pay & Preparation
$102,040
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Long-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (4/5) • Operations Monitoring (4/5) • Critical Thinking (3.88/5) • Operation and Control (3.88/5) • Operations Monitoring (3.88/5) • Operation and Control (3.88/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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