CFChooseField
Production

Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Power Distributors and Dispatchers

Median pay

$107,240
Median annual pay for Power Distributors and Dispatchers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-3.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

9,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Power Distributors and Dispatchers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Public Safety and Security
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Computers and Electronics
  5. 5Telecommunications
  6. 6Engineering and Technology

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Inductive Reasoning
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Oral Expression
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Written Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Cautiousness
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Stress Tolerance
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  4. 4Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  5. 5Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  6. 6Working with Computers

Work context

  1. 1Telephone Conversations
  2. 2Consequence of Error
  3. 3Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  6. 6E-Mail

Representative tasks

  • Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
  • Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
  • Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
  • Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.
  • 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.
  • Manipulate controls to adjust or activate power distribution equipment or machines.
  • Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
  • Monitor and record switchboard or control board readings to ensure that electrical or steam distribution equipment is operating properly.

Software and tools

Microsoft Access · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyRadius Uni-ViewABB MicroSCADA Pro DMSSiemens Spectrum Power TGSiemens Spectrum PowerCC Distribution ManagementSubstation automation system software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.