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Hydro plant operator vs power plant operator

The differences between hydro plant operators and power plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a power plant operator has an average salary of $49,204, which is higher than the $46,079 average annual salary of a hydro plant operator.

The top three skills for a hydro plant operator include test equipment, and . The most important skills for a power plant operator are plant equipment, steam boilers, and auxiliary equipment.

Hydro plant operator vs power plant operator overview

Hydro Plant OperatorPower Plant Operator
Yearly salary$46,079$49,204
Hourly rate$22.15$23.66
Growth rate-15%-15%
Number of jobs34,49740,719
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

Hydro plant operator vs power plant operator salary

Hydro plant operators and power plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hydro Plant OperatorPower Plant Operator
Average salary$46,079$49,204
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $63,000Between $35,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Orange County Sanitation District
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between hydro plant operator and power plant operator education

There are a few differences between a hydro plant operator and a power plant operator in terms of educational background:

Hydro Plant OperatorPower Plant Operator
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Hydro plant operator vs power plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between hydro plant operators' and power plant operators' demographics:

Hydro Plant OperatorPower Plant Operator
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 92.3% Female, 7.7%Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.8% Asian, 1.3% White, 79.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 1.5% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between hydro plant operator and power plant operator duties and responsibilities

Hydro plant operator example responsibilities.

  • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
  • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
  • Perform maintenance on MSA self-contain breathing apparatus.

Power plant operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
  • Process operator in the powerhouse.
  • Develop and assist regional groups with desk operating procedures for NERC compliance standards.
  • Control and maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors and condensers.
  • Perform various aspects of preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on HVAC systems; 300 to 1500 tons.
  • Repair and perform complete rebuilds on various valves, actuators, pumps, compressors, large fans, gearboxes etc.
  • Show more

Hydro plant operator vs power plant operator skills

Common hydro plant operator skills
  • Test Equipment, 100%
Common power plant operator skills
  • Plant Equipment, 9%
  • Steam Boilers, 8%
  • Auxiliary Equipment, 7%
  • Plant Operations, 5%
  • Cooling Towers, 5%
  • Condensers, 5%

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