Hydroelectric plant operator vs power plant operator

The differences between hydroelectric 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 $45,827 average annual salary of a hydroelectric plant operator.

Hydroelectric plant operator vs power plant operator overview

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Plant Operator
Yearly salary	$45,827	$49,204
Hourly rate	$22.03	$23.66
Growth rate	-15%	-15%
Number of jobs	34,456	40,719
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 80%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	-	-

Hydroelectric plant operator vs power plant operator salary

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

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Plant Operator
Average salary	$45,827	$49,204
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $62,000	Between $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 hydroelectric plant operator and power plant operator education

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

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Plant Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 80%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Environmental Science	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	-	-

Hydroelectric plant operator vs power plant operator demographics

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

	Hydroelectric Plant Operator	Power Plant Operator
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%	Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
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, 5.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 1.5% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between hydroelectric plant operator and power plant 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 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.

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Hydroelectric Plant Operator
Hydroelectric Plant Operator vs Power Plant Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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