Traditional Electric Utilities
Electric utility employers are looking to hire a new generation of energy workers.
Traditional utility plants produce electric energy from non-renewable sources, such as fossil fuels (coal and gas), nuclear fuels, and the energy generated from falling water.
As baby-boomers retire and the work in plant operations becomes more high-tech and rewarding, employers are looking for more electric utilities workers. Although technological advancements and increased automation have raised the knowledge requirements in the energy industry, the core competencies are common to other fields. These include machinery manufacturing, construction, transportation, and engineering services. If you are already trained in one of these areas and have technical work experience, you can transition that much easier into electric utilities.
Read more about the utilities industry.
| Job Title | Median Hourly Wage |
Typical Education Level Needed | Alternative Job Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production and Operating Workers | $25.61 | Work experience (in related occupation) | Plant Manager, Shift Supervisor |
| Civil Engineers | $37.20 | Bachelor's degree | Structural Engineer, Transmission Design Engineer |
Mechanical Engineers
|
$36.30 | Bachelor's degree | HVAC Engineer, Wind Turbine Mechanical Engineer |
| Industrial Engineering Technicians
|
$23.17 | Associate degree | Quality Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Quality Control Engineering Technician |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operators | $ | Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months) | |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $26.74 | Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months) | |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians | $26.48 | Associate degree | Design Technician, Equipment Engineering Technician |
| Power Plant Operators | $33.11 | Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months) | Biofuel Plant Operator, Boiler Operator, Auxiliary Operator |
| Compliance Officers, Except Agriculture, Construction, Health and Safety, and Transportation
|
$30.97 | Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months) | |
| Nuclear Engineers | $ | Bachelor's degree | |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics
|
$22.66 | Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months) | Industrial Electrician, Biofuel Maintenance Mechanic |
| Electrical Engineers
|
$40.12 | Bachelor's degree | Wind Turbine Electrical Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Energy Engineers |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
|
$43.19 | Bachelor's degree | Integrated Circuit Design Engineer, Design Engineer |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
|
$26.36 | Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months) | Maintenance Engineers |
| Gas Plant Operators | $27.59 | Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months) | Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator |
Indicates better job availability relative to other occupations in Minnesota over the last six months.
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
