Power system operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a power system operator. Power system operators usually study electrical engineering, biology, or sociology. 48% of power system operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 39 real power system operator resumes to see exactly what power system operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for power system operators are the Tennessee State University and the Tennessee State University.

There are also many online power system operator courses to help get the education required to be a power system operator.

What education do you need to become a power system operator?

What degree do you need to be a power system operator?

The most common degree for power system operators is bachelor's degree, with 48% of power system operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 48%

Associate, 20%

Master's, 12%

Diploma, 8%

Other Degrees, 12%

What should I major in to become a power system operator?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a power system operator. 38% of power system operators major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a power system operator include biology and sociology.

Electrical Engineering, 38%

Biology, 4%

Sociology, 4%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 4%

Other Majors, 50%

Most common colleges for power system operators

Power system operators often get their degrees at Tennessee State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and Florida Atlantic University. Here are the most common colleges for power system operators in the US based on their resumes.

Power system operator common college	Percentages
Tennessee State University	5.00%
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology	5.00%
Florida Atlantic University	5.00%
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	5.00%
Thomas College	5.00%

Show more common power system operator colleges

Best majors for power system operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	37.5%
2	Biology	4.2%
3	Sociology	4.2%
4	Electrical Engineering Technology	4.2%
5	Business	4.2%

Show more common power system operator majors

Best colleges for power system operators

The best colleges for power system operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

A power system operator 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 system operators. 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 system operators.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

8. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

9. Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ • Private

In-state tuition

$10,822

Enrollment

42,529

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Enrollment

2,120

20 best online courses for power system operators

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1. Electrical Power Distribution

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2. Electric Power Systems

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3. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

4.6

(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

4. Electrical Low Voltage System Distribution Design

4.6

(421)

Design of Power & Lighting Distribution System using Auto CAD, DIALux, & Low Voltage Calculations Using Excel Sheets...

5. 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...

6. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2

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7. Electrical Power Distribution With,AutoCAD,Excel,DIALUX,Etap

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4.5

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10. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection

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11. Construction Site Electrical System Design

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12. Data Center Essentials: Power & Electrical

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The power & electrical systems that support data centers and the internet...

13. ETAP Power System Analysis For Electrical Engineers

4.3

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Learn ETAP, Power System Analysis and Supporting Hand Calculations From Scratch...

14. Operating Systems Final Part (4): File Systems & Threads

4.6

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Learn the concepts of Operating Systems from scratch as Operating System forms the core of Computer Science...

15. Electrical Power Distribution with AUTOCAD, DIALux & Etap

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The easiest way to become a Pro Designer in Electrical Power Systems using DIALux from scratch!...

16. Complete Etap course for Power Electrical Engineering

4.5

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The easiest way to become a Pro Designer in Electrical Power Systems using Etap from scratch!...

17. Electrical Power Equipment

4.6

(939)

Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

18. Ultimate Power Electronics and Electrical Protection Bundle

4.6

(656)

The largest and most comprehensive bundle on power electronics and electrical protection for electrical engineering...

19. Electrical Power Engineering Principles

4.7

(1,112)

Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...

20. Ultimate Electrical Power Protection, Control & Switchgear

4.4

(357)

Your Complete guide in industrial power system protection for switchgears and substations- from Beginner to Expert Level...

Top 10 most affordable universities for power system operators

The most affordable schools for power system operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for power system operators 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 system operators.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for power system operators

The hardest universities for power system operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

Some great schools for power system operators 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 system operators 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,415

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for power system operators

The easiest schools for power system operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, oregon institute of technology, and capitol technology university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a power system operator 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 system operators.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

3. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

9. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

10. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

Average power system operator salary by education level

Power system operators with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $85,394 annually. With a Associate degree, power system operators earn a median annual income of $83,549 compared to $69,103 for power system operators with an High School Diploma degree.

Power system operator education level	Power system operator salary
High School Diploma or Less	$69,103
Bachelor's Degree	$85,394
Some College/ Associate Degree	$83,549

Power system operator education FAQs

What is the best college for Power System Operators?

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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