Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path? (10 Jobs In Public Utilities: Best-Paying + Entry-Level)

Yes, public utilities is a good career path. As a professional in Public Utilities, you’ll be an integral part of providing water, electricity, and other essential resources to people around the U.S.

Of course, while this career does come with the responsibility of enforcing safety regulations, improving distribution systems, and providing services for communities, you’ll also typically receive pay higher than the average American salary of $53,000 per year.

Therefore, if you’re interested in pursuing a Public Utilities career, it’s important to know which jobs are available to you.

Luckily, if you’re interested in any of these jobs, this article will cover everything you need to know about the various Public Utilities career paths on the market, as well as what you need to do to achieve one.

The 5 Best-Paying Jobs in Public Utilities

While many Public Utilities jobs do pay higher than the average U.S. income of just over $53,000 per year, there are a few that can pay nearly double that. With that in mind, this section will dive into the highest-paying Public Utilities jobs out there. Just remember that higher pay typically comes with unique education and experience requirements.

Overall though, here are the best-paying Public Utilities jobs, according to our research:

1. Criticality Safety Engineer

   Average Annual Salary: $98,000
   Jobs Available: 16,700
   Job Growth: -1%

   As the best-paying Public Utilities job, this role requires experience in working with nuclear fuel in a safe and effective way. For example, Criticality Safety Engineers are responsible for conducting research and analyzing transportation, handling, and storage methods for nuclear fuel.

   Ultimately, the goal of a Criticality Safety Engineer is to ensure nuclear fuel is handled safely through identifying hazards and regulation violations, as well as designing new storage and transportation methods. These tasks are generally completed through properly preparing reports and proposals that can be submitted to a government review board.

   Find Criticality Safety Engineer jobs near me

2. Petroleum Engineer

   Average Annual Salary: $92,000
   Jobs Available: 38,200
   Job Growth: 3%

   These professionals use their skills to design and help construct improved methods of extracting oil and gas. Most Petroleum Engineers spend their time working with oilfield workers and managers on drilling sites in order to properly assess and communicate proposed plans.

   Additionally, Petroleum Engineers often evaluate and maintain existing equipment, as well as develop new equipment that aids in the oil or gas extraction process. For example, a Petroleum Engineer might develop an improved schematic for the machines that inject water, steam, gases, or chemicals into oil reserves.

   Find Petroleum Engineer jobs near me

3. Radiation Engineer

   Average Annual Salary: $89,000
   Jobs Available: 29,600
   Job Growth: -1%

   Radiation Engineers work with the byproducts of nuclear energy by conducting experiments that evaluate the effects of radiation. Typically, this is done through performing tests in an experimental environment that can be used to analyze the situation and suggest improved layouts, parts, and designs.

   While these tests are highly controlled, Radiation Engineers must still take caution working with something as dangerous as radiation. Of course, the deadly nature of radiation itself is why it’s so important for them to test systems, equipment, and networks.

   Find Radiation Engineer jobs near me

4. Nuclear Licensing Engineer

   Average Annual Salary: $87,000
   Jobs Available: 5,800
   Job Growth: -1%

   Nuclear Licensing Engineers also work with nuclear energy, but their role focuses on providing licensing for nuclear power plants. These professionals must perform regulatory analyses by evaluating and ensuring systems and equipment are updated and functioning.

   Once the analysis is complete, a Nuclear Licensing Engineer will write and file safety analysis reports to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

   These professionals have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, as the reports they file will determine whether or not a power plant receives licensing. Additionally, Nuclear Licensing Engineers also often use their expertise to research technical and legal information that can be used to implement new codes.

   Find Nuclear Licensing Engineer jobs near me

5. Water Resources Engineer

   Average Annual Salary: $87,000
   Jobs Available: 53,000
   Job Growth: 5%

   These professionals play an integral role in assessing and maintaining an area’s water use. Whether it’s a massive city or a small town, populations all over the U.S. rely on Water Resources Engineers for a stable and safe water supply.

   Overall, this task is accomplished through analyzing the needs of the community and then using that information to develop forecasts for current and future water usage. The information acquired can then be used to properly design and manage treatment plants, pipelines, supply systems, and pump systems.

   Find Water Resources Engineer jobs near me

5 Entry-Level Jobs in Public Utilities

Many Public Utilities jobs have minimal education requirements, allowing you to earn a respectable wage with no more than a High School diploma. For more information about the best entry-level jobs in the industry, here are our top five picks:

1. Substation Technician

   Average Annual Salary: $46,000
   Jobs Available: 26,300
   Job Growth: -1%

   With 35% of those currently working in this field needing only a High School Diploma to start their career, this is by far the highest-paying entry-level job on this list. As a new employee, you can be trained to conduct routine safety checks and learn the necessary regulations.

   In general, though, a Substation Technician’s job consists of conducting routine maintenance on electric substations for certain neighborhoods. In doing so, they’ll also be responsible for installing control panels and wiring systems, as well as performing emergency repairs when needed.

   Find Substation Technician jobs near me

2. Solar Technician

   Average Annual Salary: $39,000
   Jobs Available: 49,400
   Job Growth: 63%

   With impressive job growth, this is an amazing entry-level Public Utilities job to pursue. Overall, the tasks of a Solar Technician include assembling, installing, and maintaining solar panel systems that provide solar power for private and commercial properties.

   Luckily, you can be trained by an employer on how to install each solar panel, cut panels to fit, perform tests, troubleshoot, and fix issues.

   Find Solar Technician jobs near me

3. Utility Operator

   Average Annual Salary: $38,000
   Jobs Available: 63,600
   Job Growth: -5%

   Utility Operators are highly versatile and trainable employees that specialize in repairing the utilities we use in our daily lives. On a daily basis, a Utility Operator might control different machines, as well as maintain the equipment and spot malfunctions.

   On a weekly basis, it’s also common for these professionals to conduct site safety audits so they can ensure compliance with safety regulations.

   Find Utility Operator jobs near me

4. Plant Operator

   Average Annual Salary: $37,000
   Jobs Available: 37,100
   Job Growth: -5%

   Plant Operators are skilled industrial workers who oversee and supervise operations in manufacturing and power plants. These professionals serve an important role in the plant, as they are responsible for controlling most equipment and machinery.

   Additionally, this task comes with the added need to respond to inquiries and issues regarding that machinery. In these cases, Plant Operators will monitor the quality of the units, as well as perform basic troubleshooting when needed.

   Find Plant Operator jobs near me

5. Sewer and Drain Technician

   Average Annual Salary: $29,000
   Jobs Available: 30,800
   Job Growth: 14%

   With a whopping 50% of Sewer and Drain Technicians only needing a High School Diploma to start their career, this is an easy entry-level job for anyone interested in Public Utilities. Day to day, this job entails installing, repairing, and maintaining sewer and drainage systems for neighborhoods and communities.

   Plus, these professionals will often analyze individual service components of a sewer system in order to properly remove clogs, repair septic tanks, and mend manholes, among other things.

   Find Sewer and Drain Technician jobs near me

Why Choose a Career in Public Utilities?

There are many reasons why someone might want to pursue a career in Public Utilities. So, to know if you’re a good fit for the industry, here are some important factors to consider:

• You’ve got options. There are many different fields within Public Utilities, giving you lots of career options. For example, you can work with natural gas, electric power, water supply, sewage removal, and more.

• You’ll be making a difference. Communities all over the U.S. rely on Public Utilties workers for access to clean water, safe sewer systems, electricity, and more. While this does come with inherent responsibility, you can also take comfort in knowing that everyday people are benefiting from your work.

• You can get your hands dirty. Not everyone likes being cooped up in an office all day, and being a Public Utilities worker allows you to get out and deal with real-world situations. Therefore, if you like moving around and tinkering, many of these jobs might be a great fit.

• Easy opportunities. Many Public Utilities jobs allow you to start working with only a High School Diploma or Associate’s degree. This means you can easily land an entry-level job without much experience, with the added bonus of not racking up college tuition debt.

• Higher than average salaries. A large portion of jobs in Public Utilities consistently pay more than $60,000 per year, with some even paying as high as $80,000-$100,000. Combined with minimal education requirements, this is truly a great deal.

• Guaranteed benefits. Almost all full-time Public Utilities jobs will have benefits, and given that many of the jobs available are also state and federal work, these benefits can be amazing. You can expect a 401k, PTO, health insurance, and more.

• Potential job growth. While some Public Utilities jobs are more stagnant, jobs in wind and solar are experiencing explosive growth. That means you’ll have even more opportunities.

Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Public Utilities

Public Utilities is a massive industry, and therefore, education requirements will vary depending on the career you’re interested in. However, here are some general facts about what you should expect:

• Entry-level jobs have minimal education requirements. Many entry-level jobs in Public Utilities are easy to get into. For example, 50% of Sewer and Drain Technicians only needed a High School Diploma to start their career.

  In fact, on our top five list of entry-level jobs, at least 25% or more of those currently employed in any of them have a High School Diploma as their highest level of education.

• Guaranteed work for Bachelor’s Degrees. Given that so many in Public Utilities have either a High School Diploma or Associate’s Degree, it might not be surprising to find out that a Bachelor’s Degree is extremely valuable.

  Many of the highest-paying jobs in the industry only require a Bachelor’s Degree, with the most common majors being in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, etc.).

• Certifications to boost your career. Not every Public Utilities field requires certifications, but here are some useful ones to know about: The Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP), Public Power Manager, and the Public Utility Regulation and Economics (PURE), to name a few.

  For the most part, these certifications can give you an edge or allow you to keep earning a degree but are not required.

What Do People Working In Public Utilities Do?

Public Utilities workers play an integral part in maintaining communities, neighborhoods, and even entire cities. From ensuring public safety through nuclear and radioactive monitoring to ensuring public wellness through water, electricity, and sewer maintenance, we rely on these workers every single day.

Of course, doing these important jobs requires a vast understanding of the systems and machines used and the state and federal regulations that inform proper maintenance. That means Public Utilities workers need to have a keen eye for knowing when to get their hands dirty and knowing when to file paperwork.

Overall, succeeding as a Public Utilities worker requires you to be detail-oriented, adaptable, and communicative. So if that sounds like you, you can likely learn what you need to pursue a successful Public Utilities career, even with no experience.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.