Production
Power Plant Operators
Also called: Auxiliary Operator, Control Operator, Control Room Operator, Multicraft Operator (MCO)
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 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
What they do day to day
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
- Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring4.0/5
- Operation and Control3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Repairing3.0/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Chemistry3.2/5
- Physics3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma60%
- Associate's degree14%
- Bachelor's degree13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.