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 |
1,058 Small |
& |
-6.2% |
2.7% |
>>>> |
79 Very few |
| Champaign Area |
34 Very small |
& |
-5.9% |
1.9% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
24 Very small |
& |
-16.7% |
-1.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Cook County |
285 Very small |
& |
-3.5% |
3.0% |
>>>> |
21 Very few |
| Decatur Area |
43 Very small |
& |
-14.0% |
0.1% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
22 Very small |
& |
4.5% |
4.0% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Du Page County |
107 Very small |
& |
-3.7% |
3.7% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Edwardsville Area |
37 Very small |
& |
-2.7% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
10 Very small |
& |
-20.0% |
-2.2% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
49 Very small |
& |
-12.2% |
-0.1% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Lake County |
62 Very small |
& |
-8.1% |
2.6% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
22 Very small |
& |
-9.1% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
60 Small |
& |
-8.3% |
5.1% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
53 Very small |
& |
-5.7% |
1.3% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
10 Very small |
& |
-10.0% |
-1.6% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
30 Very small |
& |
-10.0% |
1.8% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| Rockford Area |
38 Very small |
& |
-2.6% |
2.4% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
11 Very small |
& |
-9.1% |
-0.3% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Springfield Area |
25 Very small |
& |
-12.0% |
-0.8% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
49 Very small |
& |
-12.2% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Will County |
59 Very small |
& |
-3.4% |
5.4% |
>>>> |
4 Very few |
| United States |
46,600 Small |
& |
-10.1% |
3.1% |
>>>> |
3,700 Very few |