Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

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Career Profile

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

What they do

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, Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician), Plant Mechanic, Power Plant Mechanic, Power Plant Technician (Power Plant Tech), 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, Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician), Plant Mechanic, Power Plant Mechanic, Power Plant Technician (Power Plant Tech)

Job Data & Employment

*National data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$61,790
Starting Salary (2025)
$102,040
Median Salary (2025)
-11.2%
Projected Job Growth
29,320
Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
Maintain logs, reports, work requests, or other records of work performed in hydroelectric plants.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Analytical Thinking
Independence
Self-Control

What key skills are needed for this job?

Operations Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Operation and Control
Monitoring
Equipment Maintenance
Repairing

Expected Knowledge

Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.

Common Activities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 3

Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Post-secondary certificate 46%
  • High school diploma 22%
  • Associate's degree 16%
  • Bachelor's degree 7%
  • Less than high school 7%
  • Other 3%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Hydroelectric Production Managers
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Wind Turbine Service Technicians

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.