Many people may be curious to know, “What do public utilities jobs pay?”. After all, public utility jobs are essential to ensuring our citizens can access essentials like electricity, gas, and water. Within the public utilities industry, there are many different job roles, each with particular salary ranges.
To give you a better idea of what to expect if you’re thinking about a career in the public utility field, we’ll focus on the best 20 public utility sector jobs and what do these jobs pay in this blog.
What Are Public Utility Jobs?
Public utility jobs are within government or publicly-owned organizations that provide essential services to the public, like electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications. These jobs are regulated by government agencies and offer a sense of purpose, competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities.
What Do Public Utilities Jobs Pay?
Here I will provide you with the list of the public utilities jobs and salary details.
1. Utility Line Locator
A utility line locator’s job is to identify and marking underground utilities to ensure safety during construction projects. They research utility history, update reports, and provide customer support.
This career requires attention to detail and good customer service skills. The average salary for the utility line locator in the US is $20.09/hour. It’s a rewarding career for those who enjoy problem-solving and working outdoors.
2. Plant Operator
A plant operator oversees plant operations, identifies and resolves issues, and ensures that safety and environmental regulations are followed. They recommend improvement strategies, perform maintenance, and conduct inspections.
The role requires attentiveness to machine indicators and training of staff. The average salary for a plant operator is $22.00/hour.
3. Utility Operator
A utility operator is a skilled professional who installs and repairs utilities, such as electrical cabling or water piping, for organizations.
Utility operators operate machinery and hand tools, maintain equipment, and comply with safety regulations. The average salary of a utility operator in the USA is $19.82/hour, with $8,125 earned through overtime per year.
4. Field Service Technician
A field service technician responds to customer callouts, conducts equipment servicing, troubleshoots and repairs equipment, installs new equipment, and provides maintenance and technical training.
This technician maintains equipment stock in their vehicle and completes job reports. In the USA, the average salary of a field service technician is $23.42/hour.
5. Wind Turbine Technician
A wind turbine technician installs, inspects, maintains, and repairs wind turbine equipment. They climb towers to test and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and replace worn parts.
Technicians also collect data for research and analysis and service transmission systems. The average salary of a wind turbine technician is $25.14/hour.
6. Petroleum Supply Specialist
Petroleum supply specialists work with government agencies to manage petroleum supply logistics, such as transportation, storage, and quality inspection of bulk petroleum products.
They ensure that safety procedures are followed and that equipment is properly refuelled. This pays an average salary of $41,240/year in the United States.
7. Water Treatment Specialist
A Water Treatment Specialist is responsible for ensuring that water is clean and safe for human use. They use various techniques to purify water and can work in industries such as municipal water supply and wastewater treatment plants.
The average salary for a Water Treatment Specialist is $61,975 as of March 28, 2023, but this may vary depending on education, certifications, and experience.
8. Sewer System & Drain Cleaning Technician
Sewer System & Drain Cleaning Technicians maintain and repair underground plumbing systems to ensure public safety. They clear blockages, diagnose issues, and replace damaged pipes.
This physically demanding job requires problem-solving skills and pays an average of $46,489 per year.
9. Utility Manager
A utility manager oversees a municipality’s water treatment, distribution, and collection services, manages staff, ensures regulatory compliance, and develops budgets and plans.
Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential for this role. The average salary of a utility manager is $77,473/year.
10. Solar Technician
Solar technicians install and maintain solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity and heat for homes and businesses. They work with customers to assess their needs, perform routine tests, and connect panels to the electrical system.
With an average salary of $50,469/year, the solar technician is a promising career for those interested in renewable energy.
11. Substation Technician
Substation technicians maintain and repair electrical substations that distribute power to homes and buildings. They install control panels, perform emergency repairs, and collaborate with engineers to design new substation layouts.
Regular safety inspections are also part of their duties. The average salary for this job in the US is $69,899/year.
12. Environmental Planner
Environmental planners are responsible for assessing the potential impact of building and construction projects on the environment. They work with utility companies to ensure the safe distribution of resources and monitor sustainable efforts by companies.
The goal is to reduce waste, enforce environmental laws, and develop safe urban landscapes. This job requires strong analytical and communication skills and pays an average salary of $69,899/year in the United States.
13. Internal Auditor
An internal auditor is responsible for identifying and reducing significant business risks by effectively implementing controls.
They oversee risk-based audits, develop and maintain internal audit policies, and ensure complete and accurate reporting of audit information. The average salary for an internal auditor in the United States is $84,381/year.
14. Energy Engineer
An energy engineer analyzes energy use and develops strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainability. They monitor and report on energy use, interact with clients and management, and manage utility accounting.
The job may require intermittent sitting, standing, and walking, and occasional bending, reaching, and lifting. The average salary for an energy engineer in the United States is $89,009/year.
15. Water Resources Engineer
Water resources engineers are responsible for ensuring communities have access to clean and safe water. They analyze water usage, forecast future demand, and test and treat water to ensure it’s safe for human consumption.
They may also design and manage treatment plants, pipelines, supply systems, and pump systems. The average salary for a water resources engineer in the United States is $72,612/year.
16. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of mechanical and thermal devices to solve challenges in various industries. They design components using computer-aided tools, create prototypes, and develop virtual simulations.
They oversee manufacturing to ensure safety and mitigate equipment risks. In the US, the average salary for a mechanical engineer is $85,957/year.
17. Civil Engineer Salary
Civil engineers play a key role in maintaining infrastructure such as energy grids, waterways, and sewage systems in the utility industry. They use their engineering, mechanics, and architecture expertise to ensure safety and efficiency.
They manage budgets, oversee project teams, and conduct regular quality assurance and maintenance checks. The average salary for a civil engineer in the United States is $85,415/year.
18. Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers design and implement extraction methods for oil and gas deposits, develop new equipment, evaluate products, and maintain oil field equipment. They work closely with other oilfield workers on location.
In public utilities, petroleum engineers can work on large-scale energy projects with an average salary of $125,975/year in the United States.
19. Electrical Engineer
As an electrical engineer in the public utility industry, you’ll design, implement and test electrical systems and components. You may also help upgrade electrical equipment and troubleshoot issues with an average salary of $92,057/year in the United States.
20. System Engineer
System engineers play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and compliant operations of a public utility company’s infrastructure and systems. Their responsibilities include monitoring existing systems, implementing backup and security measures, troubleshooting issues, and designing new operational support systems.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is typically required, with some employers preferring additional certifications or specialized training. The average salary for a system engineer in the United States is $99,261/year.
Conclusion:
Public utility jobs offer a diverse range of fulfilling career options, providing essential services to society. With competitive salaries and benefits, these roles present attractive opportunities for individuals seeking both purpose and financial stability in their careers.
