How much does an Hydroelectric and substations operator earn
A Hydroelectric and substations operator earns between $1.215 and $5.742 per month, with an average monthly salary of $2.400 and a median salary of $2.010 according to an Averwage.com salary survey along with to data of professionals hired and fired by companies in the labor market.
Our research is based on the salaries of 1.095 professionals hired and dismissed by the period from 06/2021 to 05/2022 (last year).
| Monthly Salary | Annual Salary | Salary Per Week | Hourly Salary | |
| Average wage | 2.400 | 28.801 | 600 | 12 |
| 1º Quartile | 1.215 | 14.578 | 304 | 6 |
| Median Salary | 2.010 | 24.118 | 502 | 10 |
| 3º Quartile | 4.379 | 52.552 | 1.095 | 21 |
| Higher Salary | 5.742 | 68.908 | 1.436 | 28 |
Professional job categories
- Workers in the production of industrial goods and services
- production, capture, treatment and distribution operators (energy, water and utilities)
- power generation and distribution operators (hydroelectric, thermoelectric and nuclear power plants)
- operators of electrical, hydraulic, thermal or nuclear power generation and distribution facilities
Related Positions:
- Thermoelectric plant machinist
- Power switchboard operator (electricity distribution substation)
- Thermal plant operator
- Electricity production facility operator
- Thermoelectric plant operator
- Hydroelectric plant operator
- Power plant turbine operator
- Thermogas plant operator
- Electric power distribution panel operator
- Thermonuclear plant operator
- Nuclear reactor operator
Main workplaces
Operators of electrical, hydraulic, thermal or nuclear power generation and distribution facilities they work in electricity, gas and hot water service companies as registered employees. They are organized in cooperative work teams, under permanent or occasional supervision. They work indoors or outdoors and on a shift rotation system. In some hydroelectric plants, the operation of the power distribution board is carried out remotely, through an operations center. They can work at great heights and remain exposed to the action of toxic materials, radiation, noise, high temperatures, dust and electrical hazards.
What does it take to work in the field of Operators of electrical, hydraulic, thermal or nuclear power generation and distribution facilities
For the exercise of these occupations, completed high school and a basic professional qualification course of around four hundred class hours are required, given in specialized schools. The full performance of activities takes between one and two years of professional experience. There are indications that companies are already demanding professionals with a technical course in electrotechnics or in electric energy generation processes, taught in specialized schools, for the occupation of plant operator (electrical and thermonuclear).
Functions and activities of Hydroelectric and substations operator
Operators of electrical, hydraulic, thermal or nuclear power generation and distribution facilities must:
Activities
- unlock transmission and distribution equipment;
- adjust voltage levels;
- demonstrate a sense of organization;
- demonstrate quick thinking;
- optimize loads between generators;
- release generation equipment for operation;
- control burning fuel in nuclear reactor;
- operate communication tools;
- isolate transmission and distribution lines and equipment;
- regulate power variation in the nuclear reactor;
- testing equipment;
- analyze order of electrical power generation;
- load nuclear fuel core;
- follow rules, procedures and goals;
- block operation of power generation equipment;
- demonstrate decision-making ability;
- control the volume of water in the reservoir;
- start boilers;
- inspect the functioning of auxiliary equipment;
- take proactive actions;
- control the release of solid, liquid waste , gas;
- uncouple generating unit from the system;
- interpret the layout of the generation plant;
- start turbines and generators;
- start nuclear reactors;
- write reports;
- block transmission and distribution equipment;
- register transmission and distribution equipment drive number;
- participate in technical meetings and discussions;
- interpret procedures, rules and manuals;
- analyzing electrical power generation maneuver order;
- communicate clearly and objectively;
- inspect the operation of turbines and sample generators;
- interpret graphs, diagrams and flowcharts;
- uncouple the generating unit from the system;
- interpreting the layout of the generation plant;
- isolate hazardous areas;
- trigger auxiliary electric power generation equipment;
- annotate monitored data;
- monitor maintenance of machinery and equipment;
- demonstrate initiative;
- clean machinery and equipment;
- trigger auxiliary electrical power distribution equipment;
- determine number of generators in operation;
- perform minor repairs;
- release transmission and distribution lines and equipment;
- perform control to maintain the voltage level in transmission and distribution systems;
- use safety equipment;
- analyze insulation plan;
- inspect operation of nuclear reactors;
- unload nuclear fuel core;
- analyze order of electrical energy distribution maneuvers;
- monitor pressure, temperature, level and flow of generation systems;
- request maintenance of machinery and equipment;
- identify defects;
- store radioactive waste in safe conditions;
- control the flow of water in the turbines;
- perform control to maintain the programmed energy distribution level;
- monitor voltage, power, current and frequency in the generation system;
- fill in forms;
- work as a team;
- simulate emergency situations;
- control the flow of steam in the turbines;
- reestablish power distribution systems;
- control turbine speed variation;
- control the level of fuel supply in the boiler;
- control the burning of fuel in the boiler;
- demonstrate questioning ability;
- keep up to date;
- follow standards, procedures and goals;
- testing safety equipment;
- adjust parameters of electric power production equipment;
- identify unsafe acts and conditions;
- synchronize generating unit;
- activate floodgates for excess water flow in hydroelectric plants;
- monitor radiological systems;
- work as a team;
- record data on equipment conditions;
- interpret procedures, standards and manuals;
- record the number of operating hours of the equipment in operation;
- participate in work safety programs , environmental protection and occupational health;
Sectors that hire Hydroelectric and substations operator the most in the job market
- electric power generation
- construction of electricity distribution stations and networks
- electrical installation and maintenance
- maintenance of electricity distribution networks
- maintenance and repair of electric generators, transformers and motors
- engineering services
- other civil engineering works
- manufacture of raw sugar
- electric power transmission
- construction of dams and dams for electric power generation
