Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation.
About the profession
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.
How to Get Started
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Jump to Learning Path →Video
Occupation on screen: Biofuels Processing Technicians (O*NET 51-8099.01). The Department of Labor publishes one film per occupation family, and this is the film it lists for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians (51-8013.04), which is how Hydroelectric Plant Technicians is classified. Closed captions in English and Spanish. CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
Personality Fit
Based on the Hydroelectric Plant Technicians role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Realistic
Hands-on, practical, technical work
Investigative
Research, analysis, problem-solving
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
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Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Junior Hydroelectric Plant Technician → Practitioner Hydroelectric Plant Technician → Senior Practitioner Hydroelectric Plant Technician → Lead Hydroelectric Plant Technician
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
$123K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $54,080 - $71,340/year With equity/bonuses: $59,488 - $85,608 Top markets (SF/NYC): $62,192 - $85,608 Execute core tasks using Critical Thinking…
Skills used in this career
Click any skill to see how to learn it and what salary boost it gives
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $37,856 - $64,206 Year 2-3: Junior level $71,340 - $84,170 Year 4-6: Mid level $84,170 - $91,258 Year 7-10: Senior level $91,258 - $111,153 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Critical Thinking and Operations Monitoring You…
💰 Pay for Power Plant Operators
BLS OEWS, May 2023The federal survey does not count this job title on its own — it is counted under Power Plant Operators (51-8013).
Half of U.S. workers in this occupation earn more than this, half earn less.
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types