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What is a power distribution engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Angela Rasmussen

A distributor of electric power is an electrical engineer who distributes and adjusts electric currents to the generation of plants and load centers. Power distributors monitor the equipment and inspect it to ensure that the proper power is always reached at the right loading centers. They could also be responsible for repairing malfunctions of equipment.

Power distributors usually work for utilities, but some work for municipal governments; anyone who can obtain jobs in government can benefit from safety and safety at work. Usually, a bachelor's degree is needed to become a power distribution manager, but sometimes employers would prefer a master's degree. Those that influence the grid must get a certification provided by North American Electricity Reliability Company. Experience requirements may vary by employer, but typically they require two to four years of experience in the field.

Power distribution managers earn around $79,610 per year. You should have a good mechanical and mathematical ability for this role. Communication skills and good knowledge in the use of mainframe computers, industrial software, and map creation software are also a must.

What general advice would you give to a power distribution engineer?

Dr. Angela RasmussenDr. Angela Rasmussen LinkedIn profile

Professor (Lecturer) Director of Mentoring and Advising Director of Electrical Engineering Senior Projects, University of Utah

Take heart that while Electrical Engineering jobs have been impacted by COVID19, it's impact is minimal in comparison to most other areas. While many areas have been hit hard by layoffs, Electrical Engineering has only slightly been affected in comparison. Many companies have declared hiring freezes and many others are still hiring. Therefore, don't get discouraged. There are Electrical Engineerings jobs needing to be filled! Make sure to be professional in all your interactions and work on improving your online presence.
ScorePower Distribution EngineerUS Average
Salary
6.3

Avg. Salary $80,231

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%

Asian 14.41%

Black or African American 4.86%

Hispanic or Latino 11.31%

Unknown 4.71%

White 64.53%

Gender

female 8.24%

male 91.76%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Power distribution engineer career paths

Key steps to become a power distribution engineer

  1. Explore power distribution engineer education requirements

    Most common power distribution engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    69.9 %

    Master's

    19.2 %

    Associate

    8.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific power distribution engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Technical Reports23.04%
    Distribution Systems15.57%
    Electrical Systems10.32%
    CAD7.92%
    Technical Support6.56%
  3. Complete relevant power distribution engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New power distribution engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a power distribution engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real power distribution engineer resumes.
  4. Research power distribution engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Develop LabVIEW code to automate test procedures and to communicate with units for verification of functionality and accuracy.
    • Perform multiple augments installing and adding new devices/servers along with adding configurations for video streaming using Unix and checking router configurations.
    • Ensure safety in all job sites through continuous enforcement of mandatory observance of local/national codes and OSHA regulatory compliances.
  5. Prepare your power distribution engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your power distribution engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a power distribution engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable power distribution engineer resume templates

    Build a professional power distribution engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your power distribution engineer resume.
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
    Power Distribution Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for power distribution engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a power distribution engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first power distribution engineer job

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Average power distribution engineer salary

The average power distribution engineer salary in the United States is $80,231 per year or $39 per hour. Power distribution engineer salaries range between $46,000 and $137,000 per year.

Average power distribution engineer salary
$80,231 Yearly
$38.57 hourly

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Power distribution engineer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

continuous learning


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

To Install And Maintain Mostly In Building And Industrial Installation.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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