Manufacturing51-8013.04Specialization

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

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.

$97,010
Median Pay
2 to 4 years
Training
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High Disruption Risk

This is a specialization of

Plant & System Operators

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 1/6: high AI task exposure, limited human advantage creates significant risk from AI disruption (estimated from legacy data)

πŸ”΄High Disruption Risk

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
High+0

86% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

0% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 11/25

Total Score1/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Associate's degree

Time to Job Ready

1-3 years

Based on Job Zone 3. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

SCADA systemsDCS systemsCMMS softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office

Key Abilities

Problem SensitivityNear VisionInformation OrderingControl PrecisionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningSelective AttentionOral ExpressionPerceptual Speed

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Compensation Details

$54,080
10th Percentile
$97,010
Median
$123,120
90th Percentile

Based on 31,490 employed workers

Also Known As

Communications and Instrumentation Mechanic (C and I Mechanic)Hydro MechanicHydro OperatorHydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech)Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech)Hydroelectric Machinery MechanicHydroelectric MechanicHydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician)Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Tech)Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 51-8013.04