What is a plant technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
introduction image

A power plant, also known as a power station, is used to generate electricity. Many industries and estates use power plants to generate their electricity. People who specialize in monitoring the activities of a power plant are called plant technicians. They oversee the powering of the power plant, check for any faults, and sort them out. They also inspect the power plant and replace any faulty equipment. Plus, they recommend the best spare parts in case there is a need for a change.

Since this is a highly technical job, specialized knowledge is required to be able to perform excellently as a plant technician. It is important to possess a degree certificate in electrical technology or any similar field. Potential candidates also need to have hands-on experience in handling electrical machinery.

ScorePlant TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $46,164

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.6

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.18%

Asian 4.62%

Black or African American 11.45%

Hispanic or Latino 17.95%

Unknown 4.27%

White 60.53%

Gender

female 24.64%

male 75.36%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress Level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.3

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.1

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Plant Technician career paths

Key steps to become a plant technician

  1. Explore plant technician education requirements

    Most common plant technician degrees

    Bachelor's

    39.6 %

    Associate

    25.9 %

    High School Diploma

    20.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific plant technician skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Preventive Maintenance9.29%
    Ladders9.07%
    Data Collection7.64%
    Electrical Troubleshooting7.25%
    Troubleshoot6.24%
  3. Complete relevant plant technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New plant technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a plant technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real plant technician resumes.
  4. Research plant technician duties and responsibilities

    • Manage documentation on all USDA and HACCP forms.
    • Perform and manage routine building maintenance tasks, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance.
    • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
    • Used spectrophotometers, pH meters, and centrifuges.
  5. Prepare your plant technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your plant technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a plant technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Plant Technician Resume templates

    Build a professional Plant Technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Plant Technician resume.
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
    Plant Technician Resume
  6. Apply for plant technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a plant technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Plant Technician Job

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Average plant technician salary

The average Plant Technician salary in the United States is $46,164 per year or $22 per hour. Plant technician salaries range between $31,000 and $67,000 per year.

Average Plant Technician Salary
$46,164 Yearly
$22.19 hourly

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How do plant technicians rate their job?

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Plant Technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

I get to travel and meet other people

Cons

That I didn’t find this job during the time they were looking for full time employees.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Love taking something that can't be used and giving it life again...


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Is very good to been a utility technician it give you more understanding

Cons

More equipment


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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