by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Power Plant Technology involves the study of A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers Engaged In The Operation And Maintenance Of Electricity Generating Power Plants. Includes Instruction In Basic Electricity, Electrical Power, Generator Operations, Industrial Controls, Power Plant Instrumentation, Power Plant Theory, Pollution Control, Reactor Theory, Thermodynamics, Turbines, And Water Chemistry. Read on to learn the important information every power plant technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering power plant technology programs.
Nationwide, power plant technology is a popular field of study, with 84 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Power Plant Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for power plant technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of power plant technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Power Plant Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations power plant technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a power plant technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a power plant technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several power plant technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 46 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 27 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to power plant technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 36.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 22.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 21.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 8.4% |
| Some college courses | 8.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| Master’s degree | 0.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in power plant technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in power plant technology opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to power plant technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to power plant technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plant Operators | 808,707 | 10.6% |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | 523,745 | -1.2% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | 295,730 | 10.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Biomass Plant Technicians | 55,090 | -2.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of power plant technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $64,973 |
| 4 years | $59,663 |
| 5 years | $66,892 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for power plant technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers power plant technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | $89,975 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
| Biomass Plant Technicians | $56,327 |
| Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | $52,705 |
| Power Plant Operators | $49,236 |
With 6 different power plant technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased power plant technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in power plant technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Energy Systems Technology/Technician | 815 |
| Solar Energy Technology/Technician | 341 |
| Wind Energy Technology/Technician | 42 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
