Print
eMail
Electricity is vital for most everyday activities. From the moment you flip the first switch each morning, you are connecting to a huge network of people, electric lines, and generating equipment.
Power plant operators control and monitor boilers, turbines, generators, and auxiliary equipment in power-generating plants. Operators distribute power demands among generators, combine the current from several generators, and monitor instruments to maintain voltage and regulate electricity flows from the plant.
In nuclear power plants, most operators start working as equipment operators or auxiliary operators. They help the more senior workers with equipment maintenance and operation while learning the basics of plant operation. With experience and training they may be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as reactor operators and authorized to control equipment that affects the power of the reactor in a nuclear power plant.
How long will it take?
Power plant operators, dispatchers, and distributors generally need a combination of education, on-the-job training and experience. Employers often seek recent high school graduates for entry-level operator, distributor, and dispatcher positions. Workers with college or vocational school degrees will have more advancement opportunities, especially in nuclear power plants. Many senior reactor operators have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or the physical sciences.
How much will you earn?
Median annual earnings of power plant operators were $55,000 in May 2006. Median annual earnings of nuclear power reactor operators were $69,370 in May 2006.
Where can you work?
Every municipality has a power plant. Job opportunities are expected to be very good for people who are interested in becoming operators, distributors and dispatchers.
AC can get you there!
Instrument & Control Technology
Electronics Engineering Technology
