# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hydroelectric-plant-technicians
- SOC code: 51-8013.04
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $102,040 (10th percentile $61,790, 90th percentile $131,940)
- Projected growth: Decline, -5.1%
- Openings a year: 2,300
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Power plant operators".

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 38 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 3 |
| Enterprising (E) | 13 |
| Conventional (C) | 61 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 83/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 80/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 79/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 78/100)
- Getting Information (importance 76/100)
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 73/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 71/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 70/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Equipment Maintenance, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Public Safety and Security, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, Education and Training, Design, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Physics, Building and Construction

## Also called

Communications and Instrumentation Mechanic (C and I Mechanic), Hydro Mechanic, Hydro Operator, Hydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech), Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech), Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic, Hydroelectric Mechanic, Hydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician), Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Tech), Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1517) (CIP 1517, 224 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $77,109 | $88,670 | $16,469 |
| [Illinois State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/illinois-state-university-1264) | Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $58,625 | $76,731 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Hydroelectric Production Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/hydroelectric-production-managers): $126,060 median pay
- [Power Plant Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/power-plant-operators): $102,040 median pay
- [Geothermal Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geothermal-technicians): $49,230 median pay
- [Wind Turbine Service Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/wind-turbine-service-technicians): $64,120 median pay
- [Biomass Plant Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biomass-plant-technicians): $102,040 median pay
- [Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators): $78,620 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.