Hydroelectric plant operator vs power operator

The differences between hydroelectric plant operators and power operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a hydroelectric plant operator has an average salary of $45,827, which is higher than the $38,263 average annual salary of a power operator.

Hydroelectric plant operator vs power operator overview

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Operator
Yearly salary	$45,827	$38,263
Hourly rate	$22.03	$18.40
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	34,456	39,171
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 80%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	-	-

Hydroelectric plant operator vs power operator salary

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

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Operator
Average salary	$45,827	$38,263
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $62,000	Between $28,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between hydroelectric plant operator and power operator education

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

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 80%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Environmental Science	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hydroelectric plant operator vs power operator demographics

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

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6%
Race ratio	Black 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, 5.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 1.5% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between hydroelectric plant operator and power operator duties and responsibilities

Hydroelectric 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 operator example responsibilities.

Manage an internal environmental information system and ensure compliance with EPA and RCRA regulations.
Operate heavy equipment, loaders, lifts, hand and power tools to complete skil tasks.
Adjust controls of water and cold feed systems, blowers and igniters to start up and shut down boilers.
Help electrical maintenance department troubleshoot motors and other electrical devices.
Identify parameters indicative of an emergency condition and initiate designated actions, execute terminal shutdown and start-up procedures upon approval.
Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.

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Hydroelectric Plant Operator
Hydroelectric Plant Operator vs Power Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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