Biomass Power Plant Managers
SOC code 11-3051 · O*NET-SOC 11-3051.04 · Considerable preparation needed
Biomass Power Plant Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$126,060
a year
Hourly
$60.61
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$134,170
$64.50 per hour
Middle 50%
$98,160 – $161,880
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$78,000 – $205,520
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
246,250
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Industrial Production Managers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $78,000
- $37.50/hr
- 25th percentile
- $98,160
- $47.19/hr
- Median percentile
- $126,060
- $60.61/hr
- 75th percentile
- $161,880
- $77.83/hr
- 90th percentile
- $205,520
- $98.81/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+2%
Growing about as fast as average
241,900
jobs in 2024
246,500
projected for 2034
About 4,600 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a biomass power plant manager do?
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Manage safety programs at power generation facilities.
- Review biomass operations performance specifications to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels and safe production environments or to identify abnormalities with power production equipment or processes.
- Supervise operations or maintenance employees in the production of power from biomass, such as wood, coal, paper sludge, or other waste or refuse.
- Supervise biomass plant or substation operations, maintenance, repair, or testing activities.
- Shut down and restart biomass power plants or equipment in emergency situations or for equipment maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
- Compile and record operational data on forms or in log books.
- Conduct field inspections of biomass plants, stations, or substations to ensure normal and safe operating conditions.
How to become a biomass power plant manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 61% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree61%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree17%
- Post-Secondary Certificate13%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)7%
Common questions
How much does a biomass power plant manager earn?
The national median is $126,060 a year. The full range runs from $78,000 at the 10th percentile to $205,520 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a biomass power plant manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is biomass power plant manager in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 2% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.3/5
- Engineering and Technology4.1/5
- Production and Processing4.1/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
- Administrative3.6/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources, Time Management.