Control operators work in large plants' control rooms, particularly power plants, where they monitor all of the plants' operations to ensure that everything is working correctly. They control the creation and flow of electricity from power plants to businesses, homes and factories. Control operators work at all kinds of power plants, including coal, gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, and wind and solar power.
The control operator job's high stakes nature requires them to work well under pressure and adjust quickly to changes. It helps if they remain flexible and productive in times of continuing change and high stress. They are often good analytical thinkers that are able to gather data and determine and take a course of action after identifying possible consequences. A good control room operator is a creative problem solver and a leader.
Control operators use many different tools to perform their day-to-day duties. For applicants planning to pursue a career as a control operator, they should gain proficiency in hand and power tools and essential office computer equipment and programs.
The average annual pay for a control operator in the United States is $35,341 a year or $16.99 an hour. This is the equivalent of $680/week or $2,945/month.