Hydroelectric Production Managers
SOC code 11-3051 · O*NET-SOC 11-3051.06 · Medium preparation needed
Hydroelectric Production 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 hydroelectric production manager do?
Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Direct operations, maintenance, or repair of hydroelectric power facilities.
- Identify and communicate power system emergencies.
- Maintain records of hydroelectric facility operations, maintenance, or repairs.
- Perform or direct preventive or corrective containment or cleanup to protect the environment.
- Monitor or inspect hydroelectric equipment, such as hydro-turbines, generators, or control systems.
- Inspect hydroelectric facilities, including switchyards, control houses, or relay houses, for normal operation or adherence to safety standards.
- Supervise or monitor hydroelectric facility operations to ensure that generation or mechanical equipment conform to applicable regulations or standards.
- Plan or coordinate hydroelectric production operations to meet customer requirements.
How to become a hydroelectric production manager
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 29% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate29%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree21%
- Bachelor's Degree15%
- Some College Courses14%
Common questions
How much does a hydroelectric production 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 hydroelectric production manager without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is hydroelectric production 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
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.6/5
- Learning Strategies3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.1/5
- Public Safety and Security4.1/5
- Administration and Management3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Engineering and Technology3.6/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.6/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources.