Careers in the Energy Industry
The energy industry employers serving the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho employ over 22,000 people. Within the next five to eight years over 50% of these employees will retire. Demographic studies reflect even higher retirement statistics within power generation. This site provides energy career websites and a listing of typical skilled trades occupations within the Power Generation field, the average pay rate, growth forecast and some of the regional employers that expect to be hiring for these positions. The energy industry offers excellent wages, benefits and long term career advancement opportunities.Skilled Trade Occupations
The following positions have 60-70% growth forecast:- Power Plant Maintenance: Operate and monitor operation of power plant equipment. Inspect and service gas, steam turbine, heat recovery steam generators and electrical generation and trainsmission equipment. Average wage: $10.28
- Entry Level Utility Worker: Provide basic labor support in the performance of general power plant cleanup and maintenance. Average wage: $9.91
- Power Plant Control Operator Assistant: Under the direction of control operator, operate all equipment both locally and remotely to safely, reliably and efficiently produce power. Write and issue equipment over for maintenance. Average wage: $16.98
- Power Plant Control Operator: Operate all equipment both locally and remotely to safely, reliably and efficiently produce power. Write and issue equipment clearance to safely turn plant equipment over for maintenance. Average wage: $29.40
- Apprentice Plant Electrician: Under the direction of journeyman, assist in performing preventative and corrective electrical maintenance on plant equipment. Assist in performing maintenance on high-voltage switchgear and electrical distribution, heating and ventilating equipment. Average wage: $17.50
- Journey Level Plant Electrician: Perform preventative and corrective electrical maintenance on plant equipment. Perform maintenance on high-voltage switchgear and electrical distribution, heating, and ventilating equipment. Average wage: $30.43
- Power Plant Mechanic: Under the direction of head mechanic, perform skilled journeyman level work in the repair, preventative maintenance, overhaul and rebuilding of a wide variety of diesel, gasoline aerial and construction equipment. Average wage: $27.78
- Power Plant Operating Engineer: Operate and maintain multiple high-pressure superheated boilers, multiple diesel-power generators in steam, power, and chilled water generating facilities. Average wage: $18-20
- Stationary Engineer-Class 4 or 5: Start up, regulate, repair, and shut down equipment. Ensure equipment operates safely, economically, and within established limites by monitoring meters, gauges, and computerized controls. Average wage: $18-20
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: See U.S. Department of Labor Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators.
- Power Plant Equipment Operator: Operate and monitor operation of power plant equipment. Inspect and service gas, steam turbine, heat recovery steam generation and transmission equipment. Average wage: $24.26
- Power Plant Technician: Assist operators and assistant operators in the inspection, starting, operation, and shutdown of boilers, turbines, generators, and all auxillary equipment. Average wage: $19.95
- Millwright: Maintain and repair various types of heavy industrial equipment such as gas and steam turbine generators, steam turbines, pumps, and air compressors. Perform rigging on all types of lifts. Average wage: $24.42
Regional Energy Employers
The following employers hire for one or more of the positions listed above:- Bonneville Power Administration
- Bureau of Reclamation Grand Coulee
- Cardinal Glass
- Chehalis Suez
- Chelan PUD
- Portland General Electric
- Puget Sound Energy
- Seattle City Light
- Seattle Steam
- Tacoma Power
- TransAlta-Centralia
Energy Career Web Sites
These websites provide links to job postings in the energy industry:Get into Energy
Department of Energy
Energy Central
Northwest Public Power Administration
Utility Education & Training Alliance (UETA)
Western Energy Institute (WEI)
Energy Job Search
Power Plant Jobs
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators (Dept. of Labor)
Think Energy
Energy Careers
A Day in the Life of:Fish Biologist (Portland General Electric Hydropower)
