Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Once hired, they typically receive extensive on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license. PayThe median annual wage for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was $105,080 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 3,400 openings for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was $105,080 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 3,400 openings for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 3,400 openings for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
Work Environment
Most power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They typically work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts.
How to Become a Power Plant Operator, Distributor, or Dispatcher
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Once hired, they typically receive extensive on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license.
Pay
The median annual wage for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was $105,080 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 3,400 openings for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They typically work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts.
How to Become a Power Plant Operator, Distributor, or Dispatcher
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Once hired, they typically receive extensive on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license.
Pay
The median annual wage for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was $105,080 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 3,400 openings for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.