Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Power Plant Operators (51-8013) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Include auxiliary equipment operators.

Employment Outlook for Power Plant Operators
Statewide Employment Analysis 2006 employment is estimated to be somewhat smaller than the statewide average. This occupation is expected to grow at a very slow rate in Oregon. Total job openings are projected to be much lower than the statewide average.

Due to low projected job openings in this occupation, reasonable employment opportunities do not exist.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Job Openings for Power Plant Operators There are 1 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 1 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Power Plant Operator 1/21/10 Lyons $20.81/hr
State of Oregon License Information for Power Plant Operators No statewide license is required for this occupation.
Wages for Power Plant Operators
Region ---------------- 2009 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $20.98 $25.02 $28.57 $33.13 $38.05 $28.61 $59,514
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Power Plant Operators
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2006 2016 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 102 107 5 4.9% 1 3 3
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 26 23 -3 -11.5% 0 1 1
Lane 17 19 2 11.8% 0 1 1
Douglas 16 19 3 18.8% 0 1 1
Grant / Harney / Malheur 13 15 2 15.4% 0 0 1
Multnomah / Washington 7 7 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Jackson / Josephine 4 4 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 4 4 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Morrow / Umatilla 3 3 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Clackamas 3 5 2 66.7% 0 0 0
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 3 4 1 33.3% 0 0 0
Baker / Union / Wallowa 1 1 0 0.0% 0 0 0
Klamath / Lake 1 1 0 0.0% 0 0 0

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Power Plant Operators
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2006
Employment
Total, All Industries All 102
Total, All Industries Private 92
Utilities Private 38
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Private 38
Manufacturing Private 32
Paper Manufacturing Private 32
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills Private 32
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services Private 22
Waste Management and Remediation Services Private 22
Waste Treatment and Disposal Private 22
Educational Requirements for Power Plant Operators Workers must have long-term on-the-job training to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with a bachelor's degree have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Power Plant Operators
  • Apply Alternating Current (Ac) Theory
  • Apply Electrical Principles
  • Apply Electronic Principles
  • Apply Emergency Non-Medical Procedures
  • Apply Heat Transfer Principles
  • Apply Hydraulics Principles
  • Apply Power Plant Engineering Principles
  • Apply Pressure Vessel And Piping Technology
  • Apply Steam-Fitting System Technology
  • Complete Safety Reports
  • Follow Safety Procedures
  • Keep Production Records
  • Monitor Gauges On Pumps
  • Monitor Temperature Gauges And Thermometers
  • Operate Cranes, Hoists, Or Mechanical Booms
  • Operate Power Driven Pumps
  • Operate Precision Measuring Devices, Tools And Equipment
  • Operate Turbines, Generators Or Condensers
  • Operate Two-Way Radio
  • Perform Safety Inspections In Manufacturing Or Repair Setting
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Read And Understand Operating Manuals
  • Read Schematics And Specifications
  • Understand, Use, And Communicate Technical Information
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Basic Mathematics
  • Use Pneumatic Tools
  • Use Pressure Gauges
  • Work With High Voltage Apparatus
Schools and Training Providers for Power Plant Operators No programs of training are associated with this occupation.
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Power Plant Operators These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Rogue Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Power Plant Operators matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Power Distributors And Dispatchers 47%
Stationary Engineers And Boiler Operators 46%
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators 44%
Gas Plant Operators 40%
Chemical Plant And System Operators 39%
Plant And System Operators, All Other 39%
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, And Gaugers 38%
Water And Liquid Waste Treatment Plant And System Operators 32%
Boilermakers 25%
Elevator Installers And Repairers 23%