Power Plant Operators
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
At a Glance
Power Plant Operators earns a median of $99,670/yr with -11.2% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Access.
$99,670/yr
-11.2%
3
High school diploma or equivalent
Skills & Requirements
Skills (7)
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Knowledge (4)
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Abilities (8)
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Technology (7)
Work Activities (15)
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Work Styles (2)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
Industrial Production Managers
Management · 195 shared skills
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Production · 193 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · 193 shared skills
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · 192 shared skills
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Computer and Mathematical · 192 shared skills
Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · 192 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Production · 192 shared skills
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · 192 shared skills
Explore Key Skills
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