Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Production
Watch hydroelectric plant equipment and adjust turbines, pumps, valves, and gates so generation matches required performance. When generators, transformers, or turbines malfunction, the work is to find the fault, start or stop units, and operate high-voltage switches as needed. Inspections, preventive cleanup to avoid environmental contamination, and status reports to dispatchers or supervisors are regular duties. The setting is a hydropower station with turbines, control boards, fans, and battery banks. Suits people who prefer diagnosing mechanical and electrical faults and keeping water-powered equipment under close control.
Typical education: Associate’s Degree (2-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$102'040
Median Wage Market Position
$102'040
What you might do
- Monitor and adjust hydropower equipment performance
- Bring generating units online or offline
- Diagnose malfunctions in turbines and generators
- Operate valves, gates, and high-voltage switches
- Inspect generators and decide what needs repair
- Contain spills to prevent environmental contamination
Skills that matter
- Adjusting turbines to performance specifications
- Pinpointing faults in generators and transformers
- Operating high voltage switches in the station
- Cleaning up to prevent environmental contamination
- Reporting equipment status to dispatchers
- Repairing turbines, pumps, and auxiliary equipment
AI & the future of this role
Remote monitoring software might absorb more routine performance checks over time. Turbine and gate maintenance, site-specific repairs, and keeping hydropower equipment reliable still tend to favor skilled technicians on the ground.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details