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Military Power Plant Operators

Military Career

General Information

Description

Power plant operators control power-generating plants on land and aboard ships and submarines. They operate boilers, turbines, nuclear reactors, and portable generators. Power plant operators are also responsible for administering, managing, and evaluating shipboard engineering programs.

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Work Environment

Power plant operators usually work indoors. They are subject to high temperatures and noise.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Manufacturing

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Power Plant Operators in the Military

6,350

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Salary

Average Salary

$84,988

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 73%
  • Post-secondary certificate 20%
  • Associate's degree 3%
  • Some college 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Power plant operators in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: Operation of pressure boilersOperation and maintenance of reactor control systemsOperation and maintenance of mechanical systems on nuclear powered ships and submarines

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Power plant operators in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Operation of pressure boilers
  • Operation and maintenance of reactor control systems
  • Operation and maintenance of mechanical systems on nuclear powered ships and submarines

Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Education and Training

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.