by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 5 U.S. colleges awarded 74 degrees and certificates in Power Plant Technology. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Power Plant Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $64,973 one year after completing, rising to $80,513 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, power plant technology is a popular field of study, with 74 degrees awarded annually. 5 colleges award power plant technology degrees, an average of 15 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 23.
By level, the 74 awards include 39 associate degrees, 23 bachelor’s degrees and 12 master’s degrees.
Women earned 7% of power plant technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (5 of 74). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (63) and multiracial (3).
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Power Plant Technology Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees. In all, 5 colleges offer power plant technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Power Plant Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common power plant technology credential is the associate degree: 39 of the 74 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to power plant technology call most for Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring and Operation and Control, and for knowledge of Mechanical, English Language and Engineering and Technology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Near Vision and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a power plant technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 39 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 23 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to power plant technology, at 36.4%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Power Plant Technology, with an average median salary of $76,354; the strongest outlook belongs to Power Plant Operators, at 10.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Power Generation Technician (Power Generation Tech), Power Plant Operator, Hydroelectric Plant Operator and Power Plant Technician (Power Plant Tech).
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to power plant technology, at 808,707.
| 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% |
Power Plant Technology graduates earn a median $64,973 one year after completing their program, $80,513 after four years and $74,926 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $64,973 |
| 4 years | $80,513 |
| 5 years | $74,926 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to power plant technology is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| 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 |
Power Plant Technology has 4 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 1,049 degrees a year; the largest are Energy Systems Technology/Technician (688), Solar Energy Technology/Technician (312) and Wind Energy Technology/Technician (47). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Energy Systems Technology/Technician | 688 |
| Solar Energy Technology/Technician | 312 |
| Wind Energy Technology/Technician | 47 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
