The median annual wage of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers was $65,360 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,550, and the top 10 percent earned more than $88,330.
Median annual wages for power plant operator, distributor, and dispatcher occupations in May 2010 were as follows:
Many power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are members of a union.
Because electricity is provided around the clock, operators, distributors, and dispatchers usually work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts. As a result, all operators share the less desirable shifts. Work on rotating shifts can be stressful and tiring because of the constant changes in living and sleeping patterns.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition