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Power plant technician education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a power plant technician. Power plant technicians usually study aviation, electrical engineering, or automotive technology. 38% of power plant technicians hold a associate degree, and 25% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 679 real power plant technician resumes to see exactly what power plant technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for power plant technicians are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online power plant technician courses to help get the education required to be a power plant technician.
What education do you need to become a power plant technician?
What degree do you need to be a power plant technician?
- Associate, 38%
- Bachelor's, 25%
- High School Diploma, 19%
- Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 10%
What should I major in to become a power plant technician?
- Aviation, 24%
- Other Majors, 52%
Most common colleges for power plant technicians
| Power plant technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 10.00% |
| University of Phoenix | 7.50% |
| Old Dominion University | 7.50% |
| Youngstown State University | 7.50% |
| Eastern Michigan University | 5.00% |
Best majors for power plant technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aviation | 24.2% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 8.6% |
| 3 | Automotive Technology | 7.5% |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 7.0% |
| 5 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 5.9% |
Best colleges for power plant technicians
The best colleges for power plant technicians are Purdue University, Ohio State University, and Saint Louis University.
A power plant technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for power plant technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become power plant technicians.
1. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Enrollment
9,394
3. Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS • Private
In-state tuition
$10,383
Enrollment
17,611
4. Baker College
Owosso, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$9,800
Enrollment
8,319
5. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$10,726
Enrollment
45,769
6. Worldwide Campus
Daytona Beach, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$9,360
Enrollment
10,254
7. Utah State University
Logan, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$8,138
Enrollment
21,658
8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
9. Lewis University
Romeoville, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$32,450
Enrollment
4,217
10. Vermont Technical College
Randolph, VT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,108
Enrollment
1,350
20 best online courses for power plant technicians
Advertising disclosure
1. Power System: Generation, Transmission and Protection
The course “Electrical Power Generation” enables the learner to understand the power sector scenario from generation, transmission, and distribution components. The learner will have an overview of generation from thermal power plants, its auxiliaries, and the control strategy adopted in the generation plant, which will give a virtual feel of the power sector functioning.\n\nThrough the “Power Transmission System with Industrial Applications” course, learners will focus on the structure of the...
2. Renewable Power and Electricity Systems
The energy revolution in underway. Renewable energy is growing at an astounding pace - notably in electricity. Wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems account for most new power plants built worldwide, and are essential to building a low-carbon and sustainable energy future. As a result, there are countless new opportunities in renewable electricity. This course provides a solid grounding in the basics of renewable electricity. We'll start with how electricity is measured, how...
3. Electrical Power Equipment
Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...
4. SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) Module Online Classes
Functional Module SAP Plant Maintenance(PM) with Configuration...
5. Electric Power Systems
This course familiarizes you with standards and policies of the electric utility industry, and provides you with basic vocabulary used in the business. It introduces the electric power system, from generation of the electricity all the way to the wall plug. You will learn about the segments of the system, and common components like power cables and transformers. This course is for individuals considering a career in the energy field (who have a high school diploma, at minimum, and basic...
6. Electrical Power Distribution
This is an application-oriented course explaining the various aspects of power distribution, indoor and outdoor equipment up to 33kV. The course adopts a cross-disciplinary approach to ensure that the learners understand site execution, testing and commissioning. Throughout the course, safety aspects have been emphasized in every area of work. This course blends with conceptual knowledge covering the latest technological trends like SCADA & automation. This course helps learners know the...
7. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...
8. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
9. Power Engineering: Power System Analysis - Part 1
Start your career in electrical engineering and power engineering by learning the fundamentals of power system analysis...
10. Ultimate Electricity Generation, HV, and Substations Bundle
This electrical engineering bundle consists of electrical substations, high voltage, and electricity generation courses...
11. Electrical Power Engineering Principles
Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...
12. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...
13. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems
The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...
14. Real World SAP - Plant Maintenance Orders and Notifications
Learn SAP PM / EAM with a focus on real world scenarios...
15. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection
Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...
16. ETAP Power System Analysis For Electrical Engineers
Learn ETAP, Power System Analysis and Supporting Hand Calculations From Scratch...
17. Data Center Essentials: Power & Electrical
The power & electrical systems that support data centers and the internet...
18. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
19. MATLAB/Simulink for Power System Simulations
Learn how to simulate power systems in MATLAB/Simulink by building several Simulink power system models...
20. Water Treatment Process Design
design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...
Top 10 most affordable universities for power plant technicians
The most affordable schools for power plant technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university - idaho, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.
If the best universities for power plant technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for power plant technicians.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
In-state tuition
$4,118
Cost of attendance
12,223
3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
6. Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK • Private
In-state tuition
$6,750
Cost of attendance
15,839
7. Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$3,194
Cost of attendance
14,934
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,284
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for power plant technicians
The hardest universities for power plant technicians to get into are Purdue University, Ohio State University, and Saint Louis University.
Some great schools for power plant technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for power plant technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
2. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,359
3. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
4. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
Admissions rate
46%
SAT average
1,091
6. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
Admissions rate
30%
SAT average
1,339
7. Lewis University
Romeoville, IL • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,142
8. Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL • Private
Admissions rate
65%
SAT average
1,264
9. Walla Walla University
College Place, WA • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,114
10. Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA • Private
Admissions rate
56%
SAT average
1,133
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for power plant technicians
The easiest schools for power plant technicians to get into are South Dakota State University, suny farmingdale, and brigham young university - idaho.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a power plant technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for power plant technicians.
1. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
Admissions rate
46%
SAT average
1,091
3. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,140
4. Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,073
5. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Crookston, MN • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,104
6. Middle Georgia State University
Macon, GA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
980
7. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
8. Salem State University
Salem, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,065
9. Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,107
10. Averett University
Danville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
61%
SAT average
953
Average power plant technician salary by education level
| Power plant technician education level | Power plant technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $45,985 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,594 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $52,559 |
Power plant technician education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common installation, maintenance and repair questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025