If you are asking, ‘is public utilities a good career path,’ then you are likely showing an interest in the industry. If you’re looking for a stable career with opportunities that are important to the community, public utilities may be a good choice.
The industry does not only provide you with the opportunity to help people and make a big difference but working there also comes with great financial prospects and opportunities for professional growth. This post will show you some important things about the public utility industry, and what getting a job there could feel like. Sounds interesting? Then, let’s get into ‘is public utilities a good career path’ and answer the questions right out of the bat!
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What Are Public Utilities?
Public utilities are those services that are essential to the daily lives of people living in a community. This includes electricity, water, natural gas, communication, and sewage. Without these services, living their normal every day lives may be impossible or difficult for the people.
Because of the importance of these services to the growth and development of any economy, they are often provided by the government and well-established private businesses operating under the license of the government.
For instance, a private company distributing power for commercial purposes operates under the regulation of the government. To ensure these utilities are well supplied to the general public, it is common for government and private companies to hire skilled utility workers and management to meet the demand.
What Do Public Utility Workers Do On A Daily Basis?
Workers in the public utility industry are often responsible for ensuring essential services are provided to the public. This may involve working in a customer service role, transporting goods and services, or maintaining and repairing infrastructure.
The primary work is to provide essential services to the general public, and this can cut across a wide range of services. It may include infrastructure maintenance, repair, and transportation of essential goods and services.
Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path?
Public utility is a great career path if you are looking for a way to be involved in your community. You can make a real difference by improving the lives of others while also earning an excellent salary. This job has many benefits, and it is rewarding work that will provide you with opportunities to meet interesting people who share your interests!
The job market is strong and growing, with an estimated 614,900 jobs expected by 2024. Even better, you’ll be rewarded for your hard work: electricity workers earn over $91K per year on average.
In addition, the job itself can be quite flexible – you might be up at midnight fixing transformers or working around power lines during peak hours. But then again, you might find yourself doing repairs in the middle of the day or traveling across state lines to help fix a broken line at someone’s home.
There is also high job security in the industry because most utilities are publicly owned and funded by taxes paid by people who use their services (i.e., everyone!).
What Is the Requirement for Getting A Job In Utility Industry?
To be eligible for a job in public utilities, you need to have the following qualifications:
- Be a graduate. You must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
- Have a good understanding of the subject and an ability to communicate it effectively.
- Good computer skills are an added advantage because you will be required to work on computers for most of your work hours. You may need to have good understanding of software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These programs will help you manage data more efficiently than keeping paper records.
How Many Jobs Are Available In Public Utilities?
There are lots of job opportunities in the industry. As demand for these utilities increases, so is the demand for workers to take up different roles in public utility companies. In the U.S alone, the public utilities will employ more than 172,000 employees in 2020, and Statista projected that about 10,000 jobs will be added every year till 2026.
That means the industry is prospective if you are looking for a career path where you won’t have to struggle before you can secure a job. Public utilities cut across both government and private agencies that provide utility services, so there are enough jobs in the industry for anyone willing to pick a career there. So if you have been asking, ‘is public utilities a good career path,’ this is a sign that it is.
What is the Average Salary of a Worker in
Public Utilities?
Jobs in the industry are quite lucrative. They don’t only offer you the opportunity to make a difference in the community; they also give you good pay as a reward for your service. In the United States, the average salary of public utility workers is around $121,130 per year.
Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path; Best Paying Jobs in the Industry
Most jobs in the sector pay well. Even with little educational experience, you can earn well as a public utility worker. However, here are some of the top-paying jobs in the industry:
Water, sewage, and other systems sector
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Water and wastewater treatment plant operators
These professionals are responsible for controlling and operating systems of machines that treat or move water or wastewater, usually through the use of control boards. The average salary of a worker working in this sector is between $30,000 and $77,000 per year.
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Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
They are in charge of cleaning and repairing septic tanks, drains, and sewer lines. They replace damaged drain tile, patch broken walls, and repair breaks in underground pipes. Their average salary is between $30,000 and $62,000 per year.
Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution sector
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Electrical engineers and technologists
They are responsible for designing, building, modifying, and repairing electrical components and machinery for efficient use by engineering staff in the company. They often rely on their electronic theory and related knowledge to carry out their duties. Their average salary is between $40,180 and $90,000.
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Electrical Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
They repair and install electrical and electronic equipment, mostly in transportation, telecommunications, utilities, and other industries. Their average salary is $92,210 per year.
Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers broad
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Power plant operators
The average salary of a power plant operator is between $47,000 and $110,000 per year. Their sole responsibilities are controlling, maintaining, and operating electric power generation gear.
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Power distributors and dispatchers
Their job is to regulate and distribute electricity to the people. The average annual salary of a power distributor is between $61,000 and $129,000.
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Meter readers
They only read meters and record the amount of electricity consumed at a certain time. This can also be the amount of water or gas used. The average salary of a meter reader is between $30,420 and $75,000.