Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
SOC: 51-8012 O*NET: 51-8012.00
Median Salary
$107,240
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
What does a Power Distributors and Dispatchers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$70,760
10th percentile
Early Career
$91,670
25th percentile
Median
$107,240
50th percentile
Experienced
$128,690
75th percentile
Top Earners
$144,900
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$70,760
25th
$91,670
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$107,240
Mean: $109,620
75th
$128,690
90th
$144,900
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $74,140 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $91,670 and $128,690
- •Salary spread is 34.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 9,180 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:9,300
Top Industries
Utilities69%
Utilities69%
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution63%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.2%
Annual Openings:800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)9,300
Current
2034 (Projected)9,000
-3.2%
-300
Employment Change
-3.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Power Distributors and Dispatchers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
Texas
1,000 jobs$105,9701.21x
California
770 jobs$116,3600.72x
Pennsylvania
690 jobs$98,8701.93x
Michigan
560 jobs$109,2302.13x
Illinois
550 jobs$83,9601.53x
Ohio
400 jobs$88,8101.21x
Washington
390 jobs$139,1701.84x
Massachusetts
360 jobs$105,7501.67x
New Jersey
320 jobs$112,3401.28x
Florida
250 jobs$101,8700.42x
North Carolina
240 jobs$87,4200.81x
Arkansas
230 jobs$113,7703.00x
Alabama
230 jobs$110,9701.85x
Oregon
210 jobs$130,1001.82x
Virginia
210 jobs$100,8300.88x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Operations Monitoring
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Operation and Control
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders100%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Commercial Pilots82%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution94% perform96%
4
Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision88% perform92%
6
Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Track conditions that could affect power needs, such as changes in the weather, and adjust equipment to meet any anticipated changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Calculate load estimates or equipment requirements to determine required control settings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Power Distributors and Dispatchers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Power Distributors and Dispatchers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.76
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.72
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.58
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.52
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.46
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Initiative
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Integrity
4.3
Independence
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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