The median pay for Power Distributors and Dispatchers is $106,730 a year ($51.31/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 1.2% through 2035, with about 700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-8012
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Power Distributor and Dispatcher in four numbers
- Median pay
- $106,730a year, or $51.31/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $72KTop 10% $154K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.2%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7008,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20258.6K
- Projected 20358.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 8.6K Projected 2035 8.7K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school21.6%
- Certificate40.3%
- Some college8.4%
- Associate's24.1%
- Bachelor's5.6%
Highest education held by power distributors and dispatchers Segment Value High school 21.6% Certificate 40.3% Some college 8.4% Associate's 24.1% Bachelor's 5.6%
Also advertised as: Control Area Operator, Control Operator, Dispatcher, Distribution System Dispatcher (DSD), DSO (Distribution System Operator), Electric System Operator.
Pay
How much do Power Distributors and Dispatchers make?
Every power distributor and dispatcher in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$106,730
Middle half earn $90,200 to $130,940
- 10th
- $72,440
- 25th
- $90,200
- 75th
- $130,940
- 90th
- $154,270
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $72,440 |
| 25th | $90,200 |
| Median | $106,730 |
| 75th | $130,940 |
| 90th | $154,270 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $106,730
- Median hourly wage
- $51.31/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $111,320
- People employed
- 8,520
Versus all US occupations
At $106,730, Power Distributors and Dispatchers earn 109% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $55,750 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 122% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $154,270 or more while the bottom 10% earn $72,440, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 81% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($144,710), but once local prices are taken into account South Dakota leads at $147,055 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Power Distributors and Dispatchers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $144,710 | $135,227 | 380 |
| 2New York | $139,390 | $129,159 | 150 |
| 3Nevada | $138,300 | $138,329 | 100 |
| 4California | $137,570 | $124,250 | 670 |
| 5Oregon | $137,490 | $133,019 | 340 |
| 6Idaho | $136,550 | $142,993 | 60 |
| 7South Dakota | $130,270 | $147,055 | 30 |
| 8Indiana | $129,080 | $138,306 | 90 |
| 9New Jersey | $128,220 | $117,844 | 330 |
| 10Maine | $121,520 | $125,214 | 100 |
Job outlook
Is Power Distributor and Dispatcher a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | +1.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Power Distributors and Dispatchers to change 1.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 700 openings are projected each year, 8.1% of the 8,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers varies by occupation (see table).
Although electricity use is expected to increase, technological advances and greater efficiency are expected to reduce employment in these occupations. In addition, projected declines in some forms of electricity generation will also likely reduce demand for some subsets of these workers.
Getting in
How to become a Power Distributor and Dispatcher
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have experience. Once hired, power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically receive extensive on-the-job training.
Employers may require prospective operators to take an exam to test their aptitude for this work. This exam measures reading comprehension, understanding of mechanical concepts, spatial ability, and mathematical ability.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as power distributors and dispatchers.
- Post-Secondary Certificate40.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree24.1%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)21.6%
- Some College Courses8.4%
- Bachelor's Degree5.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 40.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 24.1% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 21.6% |
| Some College Courses | 8.4% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 5.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Power Distributor and Dispatcher do?
Coordinate, regulate, or distribute electricity or steam.
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
Day-to-day tasks
- Control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers.
- Distribute or regulate the flow of power between entities, such as generating stations, substations, distribution lines, or users, keeping track of the status of circuits or connections.
- Track conditions that could affect power needs, such as changes in the weather, and adjust equipment to meet any anticipated changes.
- Respond to emergencies, such as transformer or transmission line failures, and route current around affected areas.
- Coordinate with engineers, planners, field personnel, or other utility workers to provide information such as clearances, switching orders, or distribution process changes.
- Direct personnel engaged in controlling or operating distribution equipment or machinery, such as instructing control room operators to start boilers or generators.
- Record and compile operational data, such as chart or meter readings, power demands, or usage and operating times, using transmission system maps.
- Prepare switching orders that will isolate work areas without causing power outages, referring to drawings of power systems.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Operators, distributors, and dispatchers typically work rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Work on rotating shifts, which may involve day or night work schedules that alternate over a specified time, can be stressful because of the constant changes in living and sleeping patterns.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Active Listening3.6
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Monitoring3.6
- Speaking3.5
- Writing3.1
- Active Learning3.0
- Mathematics2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Active Listening | 3.6 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Operation and Control3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Systems Analysis2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Geographic information system
- Industrial control software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Power Distributor and Dispatcher?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Power Distributor and Dispatcher |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.2
- Conventional5.1
- Enterprising3.1
- Investigative2.4
- Social2.0
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with power distributors and dispatchers highlighted
- Power Distributor and Dispatcher$106,730
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Distributor and Dispatcher | $106,730 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Power Distributor and Dispatcher appears on
Questions
Power Distributor and Dispatcher: frequently asked questions
How much do Power Distributors and Dispatchers make?
Power Distributors and Dispatchers earn a median of $106,730 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 109% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $51.31/hr. The middle half earn between $90,200 and $130,940. The top 10% earn $154,270 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Power Distributor and Dispatcher?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Power Distributors and Dispatchers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 40.3% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Power Distributor and Dispatcher a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.2% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Power Distributor and Dispatcher do?
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. A core O*NET task: control, monitor, or operate equipment that regulates or distributes electricity or steam, using data obtained from instruments or computers. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Power Distributors and Dispatchers the most?
The highest state medians for Power Distributors and Dispatchers are Washington ($144,710), New York ($139,390), Nevada ($138,300) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, South Dakota moves to the top at $147,055.
What personality type suits a Power Distributor and Dispatcher?
O*NET scores Power Distributors and Dispatchers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.