Production
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Also called: Hydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech), Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech), Hydroelectric Mechanic, Hydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician)
US median pay
$102,040
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-5.1%
declining
Openings a year (US)
2,300
29,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.
What they do day to day
- Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
- Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
- Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
- Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
- Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
- Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
- Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
- Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks.
- Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors, transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps, gates, or valves.
- Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.9/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.9/5
- Operation and Control3.8/5
- Repairing3.5/5
- Troubleshooting3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.9/5
- Public Safety and Security4.3/5
- Mathematics4.3/5
- Engineering and Technology4.1/5
- Education and Training4.0/5
- Design3.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Associate's degree34%
- Post-secondary certificate34%
- Some college22%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.