Production · SOC 51-8013.04
Hydroelectric technicians manage dam infrastructure where safety intervention and on-site judgment are central to the role.
Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
Timeline: Automated SCADA systems handle most routine monitoring today, but physical intervention, safety compliance, and equipment maintenance on dam infrastructure will keep technicians essential past 2035.
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$61,680 median pay
$48,940 median pay
$46,190 median pay
$52,540 median pay
$49,240 median pay
AI job-risk card
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians is resilient on AIFear. Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians is 12/100 (Resilient). Hands-on, interpersonal or high-stakes work AI struggles to replace.
12 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Recording water level and flow rate data. Harder to automate: Identifying and responding to turbine and generator malfunctions, Starting, stopping, and adjusting generating units hands-on, Performing environmental containment procedures on site, Monitoring equipment performance against physical baselines.
Lean into Hydropower systems operation, Electrical and mechanical equipment maintenance, Environmental compliance, FERC regulatory knowledge. Consider roles such as Dam safety inspector or Renewable energy operations manager or Water resources technician.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.