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Occupational Employment Statistics
DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
51-8013 Power Plant Operators
Occupational Description:
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Excludes “Nuclear Power Reactor Operators" (51-8011).
Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
First Quarter 2020
Geography
Employment
Emp SE*
Percentiles
Mean
10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
Southeast Minnesota
120
29
$43.80/hr
$30.10/hr
$37.78/hr
$44.41/hr
$50.54/hr
$59.18/hr
Leading Industries for Power Plant Operators
Industry
OES Employment (Statewide)
OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Trade, Transportation and Utilities
760
$45.64/hr
Professional and Business Services
N/A
$34.68/hr
Public Administration
150
$34.38/hr
Other Regional Data for Power Plant Operators
Geography
Employment
Median Wage
Projections
% Change 2016-2026
Northeast Minnesota
N/A
N/A
N/A
Northwest Minnesota
N/A
N/A
N/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA
N/A
N/A
N/A
St Cloud MN MSA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Northwest Balance of State
N/A
N/A
N/A
Northeast Balance of State
N/A
N/A
N/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA
20
$37.30/hr
N/A
Rochester MN MSA
40
$41.16/hr
N/A
Southwest Balance of State
40
$25.13/hr
N/A
Central Minnesota
70
$46.70/hr
6.0%
Southeast Minnesota
120
$44.41/hr
9.6%
Southwest Minnesota
130
$42.08/hr
6.5%
Southeast Balance of State
150
$44.75/hr
N/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN
330
$43.57/hr
-1.9%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA
560
$45.49/hr
N/A
Minnesota
930
$43.64/hr
1.1%
Related Occupations
Occupations
Employment
Median Wage
Projections
% Change -
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gagers
N/A
$30.42/hr
N/A
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
1,520
$30.46/hr
7.2%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
2,130
$20.78/hr
1.9%
Chemical Plant and System Operators
1,460
$25.28/hr
0.7%
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
N/A
N/A
N/A
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
1,060
$21.13/hr
8.8%
Gas Plant Operators
170
$34.39/hr
0.4%
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
340
$18.53/hr
-5.3%
Task for Power Plant Operators
Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
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.
Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
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.