Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
Overview
Introduction
Energy transmission and distribution workers are employed in the electric light and power industry. They operate and maintain power-regulating equipment and networks of high-voltage power lines that send electricity from power plants to domestic, industrial, and commercial users. Approximately 47,400 power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers and 123,400 electrical power-line installers and repairers are employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Earnings of energy transmission and distribution workers vary considerably depending on specific job responsibilities, length of service with the company, geographic region, and other factors.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that median annual earnings of power plant operators were $97,010 in May 2023. The top 10 percent earned $123,120 or more and the lowest 10 percent earned...
Work Environment
Workers who install and repair electric power lines encounter a variety of conditions on the job. They often work outdoors in all kinds of weather. They may have to climb to high places or work in awkward positions, such as stooped over in damp underground tunnels. They may have to lift heavy cables. As they work, they must always be aware of safety issues and follow procedures that minimize th...
Outlook
Employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 8 percent through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL reports that "employment of power distributors and dispatchers is projected to decline due to advances in smart-grid technology. Some dispatcher tasks, such as rerouting power during an outage, lend themselves to automation. ...