The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.
Employment
Major employers:
- Utility companies
- Local, state, and federal government-sponsored power plants
Outlook
Demand for this career is declining. Utilities are restructuring operations to reduce costs and compete effectively. As a result, they are reducing the number of jobs at all levels. In addition, the increasing use of automatic controls in new plants should require fewer operators. However, new laws limiting the length of shifts may lead some facilities to hire more operators.
Job openings will occur as current workers retire or leave this career for other reasons.
Power Plant Operators (CIS 100417)
| Location | Employment | & | Growth | >>>> | Annual openings | |
| This occupation |
All occupations |
|||||
| Illinois |
1,854 Small |
& |
-9.3% |
8.2% |
>>>> |
147 Few |
| Champaign Area |
84 Small |
& |
-6.0% |
5.2% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
34 Very small |
& |
-14.7% |
2.9% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Cook County |
505 Small |
& |
-3.4% |
9.2% |
>>>> |
45 Very few |
| Decatur Area |
75 Small |
& |
-14.7% |
3.8% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
35 Very small |
& |
8.6% |
10.3% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Du Page County |
169 Small |
& |
-15.4% |
8.8% |
>>>> |
13 Very few |
| Edwardsville Area |
47 Very small |
& |
17.0% |
12.4% |
>>>> |
5 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
16 Very small |
& |
-12.5% |
-0.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
71 Small |
& |
-11.3% |
6.0% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Lake County |
109 Small |
& |
1.8% |
11.7% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| McHenry County |
5 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
7.6% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
44 Very small |
& |
-11.4% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
99 Small |
& |
-10.1% |
4.3% |
>>>> |
7 Very few |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
101 Small |
& |
-9.9% |
4.5% |
>>>> |
8 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
24 Very small |
& |
-16.7% |
3.5% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
55 Small |
& |
-21.8% |
5.6% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Rockford Area |
61 Very small |
& |
-8.2% |
6.6% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
18 Very small |
& |
-16.7% |
1.1% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Springfield Area |
46 Very small |
& |
-10.9% |
4.6% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
96 Small |
& |
-21.9% |
0.9% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| Vermilion County |
6 Very small |
& |
-16.7% |
-0.5% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Will County |
85 Small |
& |
-31.8% |
14.9% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| United States |
47,400 Small |
& |
-8.0% |
4.0% |
>>>> |
3,700 Very few |