‘Is public utilities a good career path?’ This is one question we get to receive from youths looking to decide on a career path for their lives. Public utilities is one of the leading industries when it comes to having a stable career laden with different amazing opportunities. And looking at the important role this industry plays in the growth and development of any economy, it is okay to see many people trooping to pick up a career path there.
If you are looking for a good industry that pays well while still making a huge impact in the lives of people, then you might want to consider public utilities. In this post, we are going to be considering what public utilities is and why it could make a good career path.
What Does Public Utilities Entail?
Public utilities are a great career path for people who like to help others and also enjoy working in a field where they can make a difference in many people’s lives. Public utilities are companies that provide water, electricity, natural gas, communication, sewage disposal, and other services to their customers.
Public utilities are typically owned by the government and regulated by a local or state agency to ensure fair pricing for consumers. Because of the important role this industry plays in any economy, companies there are always on the lookout for skilled utility workers in order to meet the demand. That means working in this sector provides better job security and a lot of career opportunities.
What Do People in Public Utilities Do?
There are different types of public utilities, depending on what they provide. So what you will be doing as a worker in the sector largely depends on which area of the industry you are in. For example, if you work for a water utility company, you might be responsible for maintaining and repairing the pipes that carry water throughout the city. Your work will be to make sure water reaches all of your customers’ homes and businesses.
If you work for an electric utility company, you might be responsible for installing new electrical lines or repairing damaged ones so that electricity can reach everyone in your city.
Public utility workers often have to work long hours and may be required to work overnight shifts if there’s been an outage or other emergency at one of their facilities. They also must have good mechanical skills. That’s because they will often be called upon to fix broken machinery or equipment on-site rather than having someone else come out and take care of it for them.
What Is the Job Outlook in Public Utilities?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 2 million workers in public utilities. The industry is expected to grow by 12% over the next decade, which means there will be even more opportunities for you!
There are many different types of jobs in public utilities, including power generation and distribution companies that generate electricity. Transportation industries such as railroads, communications networks, water treatment facilities, and nuclear power plants are also some common examples.
Public utilities also cut across both private and government agencies offering utility services to the general public. What this means is that there are enough job opportunities for anyone in this sector. So if you are the type that derives pleasure in helping others, public utilities might be a great place to pick a career path.
Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path?
Yes, public utilities is a good career path, especially for people who enjoy working with numbers and helping others. Public utilities employees are responsible for keeping the lights on, making sure that there’s enough clean water in the pipes to meet demand, and making sure that customers have access to reliable electricity.
They also help make sure that customers are paying their bills on time. It’s a job where you’ll get to interact with the public often and make a difference in people’s lives.
There are also many different opportunities in the public utilities industry, and the sector offers employment stability and good pay. Public utilities workers can choose between different positions within their company or industry. These include maintenance technicians, customer service representatives, or engineers.
There are also several different types of public utility companies to choose from, including gas companies like PG&E or electricity providers like Edison. Job opportunities for public utility workers will grow as the population grows and more people move into cities where they need access to water, power, and other services that only these companies can provide.
What is the Average Salary of a Worker in Public Utilities?
This is another interesting part of working in public utilities. Jobs in this sector are highly rewarding. That means you will not only be affecting people’s lives while working in the industry but you will also be paid well for your efforts. Most jobs in the industry pay pretty well. As of the time of writing this post, the average salary of a worker in public utilities in the U.S is around $121,130 per year.
That is more than what workers in a similar industry will earn. So if you are looking for a job that will help you earn well with high job security, public utilities might be your best shot. Now let’s take a step further in answering your question, ‘is public utilities a good career?’ let’s see some top-paying jobs in the sector.
What Are Some Top-Paying Jobs In Public Utilities?
You don’t need much education or experience to get most jobs in public utilities, and most of these jobs pay handsomely. Below are some top-paying jobs in public utilities – in no particular order.
#1: Power Plant Engineer
If you want to make money, consider a career in public utilities. Power plant engineers are some of the highest-paid workers in the industry. They oversee and maintain power plants, including nuclear and coal-fired plants, as well as hydroelectric dams and natural gas facilities. Their job may also require working closely with other employees and contractors to ensure that all systems are functioning properly.
The average pay for a power plant engineer is $94,000 per year, with an annual salary range of $38,000-$121,000.
#2: Water treatment operators
Water treatment operators are one of the top-paying jobs in public utilities. These professionals are responsible for ensuring that drinking water is safe to drink and that wastewater is properly treated before it is released into the environment.
They must follow strict guidelines set by local, state, and federal agencies regarding how much pollution can be released into the air or water as well as how much chlorine should be added to kill potentially harmful bacteria.
Water treatment operators usually need at least a high school diploma or its equivalent and training in water chemistry and engineering principles. They also need experience working with pumps, valves, and other equipment used in water treatment plants. The average salary of a water treatment operator is $77,000 per year.
#3: Radiation Engineers
This is not such a common role in the public utilities industry. So when people as, ‘is public utilities a good career path, radiation engineers usually don’t cross their minds. Whereas these professionals earn well in the industry.
Radiation engineers work in the field of nuclear engineering. Their main responsibility is to design and supervise the installation and operation of nuclear power plants. Radiation engineers typically work in teams and must be able to work well with others. Radiation engineers are responsible for making sure that any radiation leaks are detected quickly and dealt with effectively.
They also ensure that all workers follow the regulations set out by OSHA when working with radioactive materials. The average annual salary of radiation engineers is between $73,000 and $123,000.
#4: Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners
These workers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining pipes that carry wastewater from homes to sewage treatment plants. They may also clean septic tanks, perform maintenance on pumps, and repair broken equipment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners can earn between $30,000 and $62,000 per year.
#5: Electrical engineers and technologists
Electrical engineers and technologists earn an average of $90,000 per year. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, but some employers may accept a bachelor’s degree in physics or mathematics.
Electrical engineers and technologists work to design, construct, maintain and monitor electrical systems that provide power to buildings, homes, businesses, and communities. They also work to ensure that those systems meet safety standards and government regulations.
#6: Power plant operators
These professionals are responsible for managing the generation and distribution of electricity and ensuring that it’s safe for consumption. They monitor the flow of electricity from power plants to customers and maintain control over the generation and distribution of electricity.
Power plant operators work at power plants across the country, including hydroelectric dams and nuclear plants. They use computers to monitor the performance of their facilities and make sure that they’re running efficiently.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that power plant operators earned an average annual salary of $110,000.
#7: Power distributors and dispatchers
Working as a power distributor or dispatcher can be a challenging and rewarding job. You’ll be responsible for monitoring the distribution of electricity to customers, ensuring that they have the electricity they need when they need it. You’ll also be in charge of scheduling maintenance on the lines, which involves coordinating with other utilities companies.
These professionals need to have good math skills and a lot of knowledge about how electricity works. They also need to be able to work well under pressure because they’re responsible for keeping the lights on in a large area. The average salary of power distributors and dispatchers is between $61,000 and $129,000 per year.
#8: Meter readers
This is one of the entry-level jobs in public utilities – and it pays well. Meter readers are responsible for reading meters and collecting data, and they often work with a team to ensure that they’re getting accurate readings. Meter readers typically earn between $31,000 and $75,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
What Skills Are Required to Work in Public Utilities
In order to work in the public utilities industry, you’ll need a wide variety of skills. These include:
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Knowledge of the public utilities industry
This includes understanding how electricity and water are generated, transported, and delivered to homes and businesses across your region. You should also know about regulations that are in place for this process at all levels – from national down to the local government.
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Good communication skills
As part of your job, you’ll be interacting with customers on a daily basis. So it’s important that you can listen well when they voice concerns about their service or problems. You’ll also need to speak clearly when answering questions from those same customers. This may be over the phone or explaining complicated processes such as billing procedures over email.
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Customer service skills
Since customer satisfaction is key in any business environment today, you must always maintain an upbeat attitude when dealing with unhappy clients until they’re satisfied again.
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Computer skills
You’ll need strong computer literacy if you want to succeed as a worker in most job positions in public utilities. So if you are asking, ‘What Skills Are Required to Work in Public Utilities’ You had better add some computer skills under your belt.
Final Note
Public utilities companies are the backbone of many communities. They provide power, water, sewer, and other essential services to homes and businesses across the country. If you’re looking for a job that will be challenging and rewarding, consider picking a career path in public utilities.
We have shown you important things you need to know about this industry, and why picking a career path there can be interesting. We believe by now, you already had some answers to your question, ‘is public utilities a good career path.’
However, if you don’t see yourself performing at your best in this field, you might consider some other related industry that might help.
