How To Become A Utility Worker: What It Is and Career Path

What is a utility worker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A utility worker maintains and repairs public utilities such as water, gas, and electricity. They provide homes and businesses with safe and efficient resources. Utility workers perform a range of tasks, including installing new equipment, repairing damaged infrastructure, and monitoring usage. They may work in environments that may include outdoor and confined spaces. Utility workers prioritize safety, as they work with high-voltage equipment or dangerous chemicals. Other important qualities include problem-solving and attention to detail.

ScoreUtility WorkerUS Average

Salary

2.4

Avg. Salary $30,429

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.6

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.18%

Asian 4.65%

Black or African American 11.60%

Hispanic or Latino 16.24%

Unknown 4.27%

White 62.04%

Gender

female 16.90%

male 83.10%

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

What are the pros and cons of being a Utility Worker?

Pros

Variety of tasks and responsibilities
Job security
Competitive pay and benefits
Opportunities for advancement
Training and development opportunities

Cons

Physically demanding work
Long hours and shift work
Dealing with difficult customers or stakeholders
Time away from family and friends during emergencies or restoration efforts
Limited flexibility in schedules and work locations

Key steps to become a utility worker

Explore utility worker education requirements

Most common utility worker degrees

High School Diploma

50.1 %

Associate

15.4 %

Bachelor's

15.4 %

Start to develop specific utility worker skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	22.74%
Safety Procedures	17.73%
Cleanliness	17.60%
Rehabilitation	9.20%
Kitchen Utensils	8.23%

Complete relevant utility worker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New utility workers 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 utility worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real utility worker resumes.

Research utility worker duties and responsibilities

Perform inspection reviews on final product and packaging to ensure quality standards are achieved according to GMP guidelines.
Maintain the installation and demolition of the worksite buildings and provide HVAC; electrical repairs and equipment repairs as needed.
Operate tools, including rakes, shovels, saws, axes and shears.
Maintain parks/schools grass cuts, blower, weedeat, plant plants, mulch leaves, etc.

Prepare your utility worker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your utility worker 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 utility worker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Utility Worker Resume templates

Build a professional Utility Worker 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 Utility Worker resume.

Apply for utility worker jobs

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

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

How do utility workers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Utility Worker reviews

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.

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019