How to hire a control center operator

How to hire a control center operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step control center operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a control center operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new control center operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The control center operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A control center operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, control center operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of control center operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Control Center Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Control Center Operator		$11-51
   Sensor Operator	A sensor operator is a crewmember on aerospace systems. They receive and abide by special instructions, air tasking orders, and rules of engagement... Show more	$11-51

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Emergency Situations
   • Logistics
   • Incident Reports
   • Security Systems
   • CCTV
   • Data Entry
   • Control Systems
   • Patrol
   • SCADA
   • Payroll
   • Financial Statements
   • EMS
   • Alarm Systems
   • CNC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, purchasing and payroll.
   • Lead basic reconnaissance operations and report enemy movements to commanding officers.
   • Prepare HHQ's reports and update MAJCOM data bases on the movement and status of mobility forces.
   • Coordinate mission requirements with aircrews, worldwide C2 agencies, aerial ports, logistics agencies, and diplomatic channels.
   • Provide ISR threat-warning support and interfaces with other units, assists with mission planning and maintain assign publications and currency items.
   • Control differential GPS base stations.

   More control center operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your control center operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A control center operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, control center operators' average salary in montana is 55% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level control center operators 78% less than senior-level control center operators.
   • Certifications. A control center operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a control center operator's salary.

   Average control center operator salary

   $51,597yearly

   $24.81 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level control center operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average control center operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$66,907	$32
   2	Connecticut	$63,873	$31
   3	Virginia	$62,159	$30
   4	New Jersey	$59,839	$29
   5	California	$59,770	$29
   6	Massachusetts	$57,812	$28
   7	Texas	$55,842	$27
   8	Arizona	$49,670	$24
   9	Maryland	$49,595	$24
   10	Wisconsin	$47,320	$23
   11	Michigan	$46,983	$23
   12	Missouri	$45,336	$22
   13	Iowa	$44,859	$22
   14	North Carolina	$44,275	$21
   15	Oregon	$40,423	$19
   16	Hawaii	$37,987	$18
   17	Tennessee	$37,638	$18
   18	Nebraska	$37,037	$18
   19	Florida	$36,590	$18
   20	Oklahoma	$35,473	$17

   Average control center operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Highland General Hospital	$120,663	$58.01
   2	Tesla	$110,648	$53.20
   3	Northwestern Mutual	$97,340	$46.80
   4	Bloom Energy	$95,663	$45.99	2
   5	National Grid plc	$90,409	$43.47	1
   6	U.S. Bank	$88,068	$42.34	10
   7	Abbott	$82,230	$39.53	14
   8	University of California-Berkeley	$81,778	$39.32
   9	Northrop Grumman	$75,935	$36.51	81
   10	Mclaughlin Research Corporation	$75,556	$36.33	3
   11	Duke Energy	$70,717	$34.00	4
   12	CACI International	$70,620	$33.95	24
   13	Pattern Energy Group	$68,544	$32.95	1
   14	Ducommun	$61,740	$29.68	2
   15	University of Virginia	$58,597	$28.17	10
   16	Johnson County	$56,453	$27.14
   17	Texas Tech University	$54,364	$26.14	7
   18	SES Americom	$53,949	$25.94
   19	Power International Holding	$52,703	$25.34	2
   20	paragon Co.	$51,841	$24.92	3

4. Writing a control center operator job description

   A job description for a control center operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a control center operator job description:

   Control center operator job description example

   At AES, we raise the quality of life around the world by changing the way energy works. Everyone makes an impact every day in our small, global teams. Apply here to start an extraordinary career today.
   
   AES CE's US Business (US SBU) is currently seeking a Control Room Operator (CRO)for the Palm Springs Remote Operating Control Center to provide monitoring and controls support to the 24/7 Remote Operations Control Center Team (ROCC). The CRO will report to the PS ROCC Team Lead. The goal of this position is to ensure safe operations, superior customer service, regulatory compliance, high productivity, and industry leading efficiency for AES CE's solar, wind, and BESS generation assets.
   
   AES CE, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation, specializes in developing, owning, and operating utility scale PV solar projects, distributed generation PV solar projects, PV solar projects combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS), stand-alone battery energy storage projects and wind generation projects. AES CE currently has approximately 5,000 MW of solar, wind and storage projects in operation in the U.S., with an additional [1,000+] MW in construction and [4,000+] MW contracted or in development.
   
   With a business goal to grow our operating portfolio to 15,000+ MW by 2025, and a development pipeline to support achieving that goal, now is an amazing time to join the AES CE team as it continues its exponential growth.
   
   AES's mission is to accelerate the future of energy, together. We are a global, agile, cohesive organization with an employee engagement level akin to a startup company. AES businesses throughout the world are often recognized as great places to work. Our people share a passion to help meet the world's current and increasing energy needs, while providing communities and countries the opportunity for economic growth due to the availability of reliable, affordable electric power.
   Safety First - Self-starter - Innovative Thinker - Driven by Excellence - Team Player - Accountable
   
   If these characteristics describe key elements of who you are as a person, we want you as part of our team on this next phase of our exciting journey!
   
   The successful candidate will have a depth of experience in renewable assets' remote operation centers, a track record of supervisory skills, and demonstrated ability to develop high performing teams. This position will be based at AES' Mountain View wind farm office in Palm Springs, CA.
   
   Key Responsibilities:
   Oversee the day-to-day operations of a growing fleet of utility-scale solar and wind assets Make required operational reports to various grid entities (Reliability Coordinator, Transmission Operator, Balancing Authority, Scheduling Coordinators) Adjust plant operating parameters (Real Power Generation, Voltage, Power Factor) as directed by the Balancing Authority, Transmission Operator, and Operations Management. Communicate with and dispatch field O&M personnel for troubleshooting support and outage scheduling Create and track corrective maintenance tickets Contribute to the development of plant-specific operating procedures incorporating all requirements from NERC, PPA's, IA's and relevant Functional Entities Assist in the onboarding and integration of new generation assets Contribute to a strict culture of regulatory compliance Obtain and maintain certifications that may be needed for further Control Center needs (i.e. PJM Generation)
   
   Skills and Qualifications:
   2+ years' experience in control center operations, preferably for renewable energy assets Experience in Wind Power (field or control center) is a plus Familiarity with NERC standards and impact on operations Ability to strictly follow operating procedures, without exception Familiarity with the maintenance of solar, Solar+Storage, stand-alone storage (battery) and wind generation assets Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) Competency in plant processes, electrical and SCADA systems Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to manage critical situations Willingness to undergo regular training to ensure safe, reliable and compliant operations Reliable, punctual and capable of being trusted with significant, unsupervised responsibility B.S. in engineering or related discipline preferred or equivalent military (i.e. Navy Nuclear) or industry experience Ability to thrive within a small, agile and fast-growing team
   
   Additional Requirements/Details:
   Willingness to work twelve-hour rotating shiftwork where shifts cover a blend of weekdays, weekends, and holidays Occasionally work extra shifts to cover operator vacation, illness or other shift coverage needs
   
   COMPENSATION:
   
   Competitive base and variable pay. Excellent benefits.
   
   AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.
   
   Safety comes first at AES. To protect the health and safety of our people, customers, communities and partners, and to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, AES requires all newly-hired people or current AES people applying for U.S.-based role(s), to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by their date of hire. Except where prohibited by law or not specifically covered in a collective bargaining agreement, new hires and transfers will be required to provide proof of vaccination during onboarding and periodically thereafter. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right control center operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with control center operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit control center operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your control center operator job on Zippia to find and recruit control center operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with control center operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new control center operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the control center operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new control center operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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