There are more than 50+ best paying jobs in public utilities that you can get started with and earn a good salary per month and year with other benefits. This industry is a very promising one with professionals being recruited every time being one of the largest sectors in the U.S. economy, as measured by revenue at $962.5 billion.
The top 10 largest employers are all public utility companies, including electric, gas, and water providers. This industry is the largest in the world as it encompasses every other sector of the global economy. If you get a job in this industry, you would likely be serving the economy of your country.
What Is Public Utilities Industry?
The public utility industry is one of the largest industries in the world economy which encompasses other industries such as electricity, telecommunications, transportation, retail, production, etc. The industry is endless with a lot of job opportunities that one can delve into and become an established career pers.
What is Public Utilities Careers?
Public utility careers offer many opportunities, from customer service to management positions. Although the average salary for these jobs might not be as high as in some other industries, they can be very rewarding and provide valuable benefits.
Utility workers aren’t just responsible for keeping our lights on: They also work hard to keep our streets safe from downed power lines and other hazards caused by storms and other natural disasters.
There are many ways to get your foot in the public utility sector. You can do it by working for a utility company or taking on a role with a company that provides services to utilities.
Top 23 Best Paying Jobs in Public Utilities
Below are the best paying jobs in public utilities for any individual to get started in a career.
1. Power Plant Operators
These workers operate power plants to provide electricity to customers. They monitor electrical equipment, such as turbines and generators, which produce electricity for sale to public or private companies. Power plant operators must know electrical engineering and physics to understand how these machines operate.
Power plant operators typically need at least a two-year associate’s degree in mechanical engineering technology or one year of related experience to obtain employment in this field. Their level of experience and expertise demand their pay grade.
Annual salary range – $48,610 to $110,590
2. Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Power distributors and dispatchers are also some of the highest-paid professionals in public utilities. They are responsible for monitoring the flow of electricity from generation facilities to distribution substations and from these substations to customers’ premises via high-voltage transmission lines that carry electricity over long distances.
They also monitor equipment status at distribution substations to ensure that all equipment is operating correctly and safely and that there are no problems with power quality or reliability issues that could affect customer service. They may coordinate maintenance activities with other utilities.
Annual salary range – $61,670 to $98,530
3. Water Resource Specialist
A water resource specialist monitors the local and regional supply of water and ensures the water is safe for consumption.
They also develop processes for water conservation and inform the public about water safety, conservation, and recycling issues. They are responsible for monitoring the water supply of a region.
Annual salary range – $59,000 to $276,000
4. Electric Power Line Installer/Repairer
They install or repair cables or wires used in electrical distribution systems. Includes overhead linesmen who climb poles and underground cable splicers who may use hand tools or operate cable-laying machines to install cables beneath roads and parking lots.
To be an electric power line installer/repairer, you must have a background in electrical engineering and expertise in electric installation and repairs.
Annual salary range – $60,590 to $87,500
5. Water Treatment Plant Operator
Water treatment plant operators work in water supply systems, plants, and offices to monitor the quality and quantity of water and test for contaminants.
They also operate chemical feeders and pumps to transfer chemicals into equipment and tanks. They have knowledge of chemistry and the operations of water plants.
Annual salary range: $62,730 – $130,980
6. Industrial Electrician
Industrial electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring for industrial plants and facilities. They may also troubleshoot problems with electrical systems and equipment. They also design process that helps ensure the safety of the electrical plants.
Industrial electricians must have an associate’s degree or certificate from an accredited school to work in this field. Most electricians start making around $40,000 annually, but those with more experience can earn up to $80,000 annually.
Annual salary range – $40,000 to $80,000
7. Gas Technician
Gas technicians work mainly for companies that provide energy sources like gas, oil, or coal to consumers worldwide.
They are responsible for maintaining pipelines so that they don’t leak or crack under pressure while transporting fuel products through them. Gas technicians must be certified by the federal government before they can perform their duties safely on the job site.
Annual salary range – $40, 576 to $61,000
8. Environmental Science Technicians (Except Hydrologists)
They collect water or air samples at locations such as industrial plants or construction sites to monitor environmental quality or safety conditions.
They usually specialize in air, water, and soil pollution. They do research, and the research is used by engineers and scientists in determining where to set up electrical or water plants.
Annual Salary range – $46,150 to $80,130
9. Chemical engineer
Chemical engineers are the people who make sure that our food and water are safe to consume. They design and develop new chemicals, processes, and products; use chemistry to solve problems related to producing goods; and oversee manufacturing chemicals or products.
They work more in the water companies in the public utility industry. Without them, we won’t have safe water at home.
Annual salary range – $86,140 to $150,400
10. Utility Lineman
Utility linemen are responsible for maintaining and repairing power and other utility lines. They work under extreme conditions like high voltage or dangerous situations.
They must also climb poles with ropes or ladders to reach their work area. They must have good knowledge about electricity, safety procedures, and climbing techniques to be successful in this job.
Annual salary range – $45,917 – $75,859
11. Foreman/Supervisors
Foremen supervise workers who install or repair plumbing (plumbers), heating/cooling systems (air-conditioning technicians), and electrical wiring (electricians).
They also direct the work of workers who test water pressure or perform routine maintenance on water distribution systems and waste treatment facilities. Supervisors may coordinate activities between different crews working on projects simultaneously or close to each other.
Annual salary range – $39,000 to $101,040
12. Broadcast Technicians/Mechanics (Radio & TV).
Broadcast technicians work on all aspects of television or radio broadcasting, including maintaining studio equipment, transmitting signals through cables or satellite feeds, editing programs before broadcast, and operating cameras during live events such as sports broadcasts or newscasts.
Annual salary range –$21,570 to $83,260
13. Utility Operations Manager
An operations manager manages all aspects of an organization’s operations. They supervise employees, plan work schedules, and ensure everything runs smoothly. An operations manager usually has a bachelor’s degree in business administration or management from a four-year college or university.
Some employers prefer applicants with an MBA or M.S. degree in business administration or management from a four-year college or university.
Annual salary range – $77,000 to 4139,305
14. Electrical Engineer
An electrical engineer works with electrical systems and equipment businesses, and organizations use to provide power to their customers or members.
Electrical engineers often work with engineers from other disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and chemical engineering, because they need to understand how each part of their system works together before designing it properly.
Electrical engineers must have at least a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a four-year college or university before working as one.
Annual Salary range: $70,430 to $169,450
15. Utility Manager
A utility manager manages the daily operations of a utility company. This includes supervising employees and meeting with customers to solve problems or resolve complaints.
They also ensure their company runs efficiently by monitoring how much money they spend on supplies, materials, and equipment, such as trucks and engines.
Annual salary range – $139.305 to $160,668
16. Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative interacts with customers over the phone or through email to answer questions about their electric or water bill, fix problems with their electricity or water supply, or offer assistance with any other issue related to their home’s electrical or water systems.
Annual salary range – $20,250 to $70.889
17. Civil Engineer
Civil engineers build roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure needed by public utilities such as water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, and waste disposal sites.
Civil engineers must have an understanding of soil conditions so they can select appropriate materials for their projects, such as asphalt or concrete pavement surfaces or gravel shoulders along highways.
Annual salary range – $47,000 to $135,000
18. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers work on projects related to mechanical systems within public utilities, such as boilers and furnaces at power plants or cooling towers at wastewater treatment plants.
They also work on mechanical equipment like pumps and compressors used by these facilities. You must have a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Annual salary range: $60,500 to 4114,380
19. Transmission Network Operator
Coordinates the movement of electricity from generation facilities to retail customers through a transmission line network that connects power plants with substations.
Responsible for maintaining reliable service through maintenance activities such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment on-site or performing maintenance at off-site locations throughout the region served by their system. May also coordinate with local distribution companies (LDCs) to perform upgrades.
Annual salary range – $76,318 to $96,480
20. Electricity Distribution Managers
These managers supervise and coordinate activities related to electricity distribution. They also manage personnel, finances, and operations at a local level. They may work for the government or private companies.
Annual salary range- $62,000 to $120,000
21. Gas Distribution Technician
This position involves maintaining gas lines from tanks to customers’ homes or businesses. This includes checking for leaks, repairing damaged parts, relocating pipes, and performing maintenance on equipment.
Annual salary range – $33,500 to $50,000
22. Electrical Power Line Technician
An electrical power line technician installs, maintains, and repairs high-voltage electric transmission lines that bring electricity from sources such as dams or power plants to substations where electricity is transferred onto lower voltage distribution lines that deliver electricity to customers’ homes and businesses.
Annual salary range –$52,301 to $78,201
23. Meter Reader
A meter reader collects data from meters throughout a town or city to track how much energy each home uses every month. They may use GPS-enabled smartphones or tablets to find out where each meter is located before going out into the field each day to collect readings on them manually.
Annual salary range – $22,970 to $73,550
Do Public Utilities Jobs Pay?
Yes, public utilities jobs pay very well even though not as high as other industries. The industry is very popular and has a lot of career opportunities. Public utilities jobs are often considered a stable, secure career choice. The pay is usually good, the benefits are great, and there’s little chance of being laid off. However, that doesn’t mean public utilities jobs are without their challenges.
Public utility jobs can be physically demanding and stressful at times. You may have to work with hazardous materials or even deal with people in a crisis, such as those affected by an electrical outage.
The job market for the sector is also quite competitive, so you’ll need to be prepared to put in the time and effort to get ahead.
A person who wants to work in this field must have a high school degree or equivalent and be able to pass an examination. Most public utilities jobs require at least one year of experience working in the field. In addition, applicants must have strong math skills, excellent computer literacy, and excellent communication skills.
How do I get a job at a public utility?
If you have experience in energy, water, or wastewater utilities, there’s a good chance you can find work with one of these companies. Many hire people with bachelor’s degrees in engineering or environmental science. Others require only an associate degree or less.
What are the benefits of working for a public utility?
Public utilities are often very generous with their employee benefits packages. They may offer retirement plans, health insurance, and other perks that help compensate for the lower pay compared to private sector jobs. If you’re interested in working for a public utility, it’s essential that you look at the total compensation package before accepting any job offer.
What are the duties of a public utility worker?
The duties of a public utility worker vary depending on the position. Public utility workers may be responsible for ensuring that their communities have access to clean water and safe sanitation, maintaining the electrical grid that provides power to homes and businesses, or even monitoring air quality to ensure it meets government standards.
What is the pay range for a public utility job?
Public utility jobs usually have a salary range of $45,000 to $90,000. However, some positions may have higher salaries depending on experience and qualifications.
How do I get a job with public utilities?
Most public utilities offer employment opportunities through their website or government websites such as Monster.com or Indeed.com. You can also check local newspapers for advertisements for open positions.
What are the qualifications for becoming a public utility employee?
You may need a high school diploma or GED, but many entry-level positions require only some college education or vocational training. Some employers may prefer applicants with an associate’s degree, but this is not always required for all positions in this field. Some employers may require candidates to pass a drug test before being hired for any position within their company’s workforce.
In Conclusion
Public utility is a great industry. All you have to do is get the appropriate certification in expertise. Also, get additional skills relating to your proposed job specifies. This will give you an upper hand when trying to secure a job.
