Power Plant Operator Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Power Plant Operator

Best Schools to become a Power Plant Operator in U.S. 2024

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

In-State Tuition:$5,136
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,456
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:18%
Total Enrollment:68,415

Berk Trade and Business School

Long Island City, NY

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:122

San Jacinto Community College

Pasadena, TX

In-State Tuition:$3,240
Out-of-State Tuition:$5,040
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:32%
Total Enrollment:30,593

Hudson Valley Community College

Troy, NY

In-State Tuition:$4,800
Out-of-State Tuition:$9,600
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:29%
Total Enrollment:9,140

Texas State Technical College

Waco, TX

In-State Tuition:$6,969
Out-of-State Tuition:$11,094
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:37%
Total Enrollment:10,601

South Texas College

McAllen, TX

In-State Tuition:$2,610
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,500
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:26%
Total Enrollment:27,894
Power Plant Operator Job Description:
  • Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes.
  • Operate equipment such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Power Plant Operator

Job Duties for Power Plant Operators

  • Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.

  • Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.

  • Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.

Technologies and Skills Used by Power Plant Operators

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Facilities management software

  • Building management system software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Power Plant Operator

Top Related Careers to Power Plant Operator 2024

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Power Plant Operator

FAQs About Becoming a Power Plant Operator