Careers & Education

Is Public Utilities a Good Career Path?

So you want to work in public utilities, but is public utilities a good career path?

Are you curious to learn more about jobs in the utility industry?

We can help you! This article covers everything you need to know about a career in public utilities, including the salaries and prospects of this job. This is a very important position for our way of life as they are part of a sector that is responsible for offering essential services to the general public. Working in the utility sector offers a lot of stability, opportunity, and a variety of professions that can be both fun and scary.

Without further ado, let’s see what it’s like to work in the public utilities sector!

Public Utilities as a Career

Indeed, some of us utilize public utilities on a daily basis and may not even recognize it. To maintain the operation and accessibility of these public utilities to the wider public, it still requires many different people and people.

Water, gas, phone, and electricity are types of public utilities.

Consider how life would be without modern-day services! We would not have these utilities if utility workers were not accessible.

Is Working In Public Utilities A Good Career Path?

Yes, public utility work is a lucrative career that provides job stability, average salary, benefits, and prospects for promotion.

Within the public utility sector, there is clearly no shortage of skilled trades. However, there are several other jobs available that can include jobs such as administration, marketing, engineering, and many other jobs.

Without that support staff, some of the above important jobs do not provide essential services such as skills, so the workers from public utilities cannot do what they do!

Options In The Public Utilities Sector

There are still many job opportunities available that require knowledge and skills about repairing, maintaining, installing, and manufacturing different utilities.

The following are some of the most prevalent niches in this industry.

Natural Gas

There are still many homes and businesses with nature, but how does the gas actually get there?
In general, the extraction of natural gas through deposits located deep underground and then transported via pipelines. From there it goes through a process with a local company that will prepare it for shipping to their customers.
Besides, you might work in distribution, on a pipeline, or in local government if you work in natural gas.

Electric Power

Can you live without the internet? Well, think also if you don’t have electricity, so you have to learn to live in real dark age.

One of the daily needs of all of us is Electricity, working in the public utility electricity sector means that you will make a sizeable impact. Not only can you work on the consumer side, but you can also work in other utility sectors to assist and keep electricity working. With increasing interest in power generation to replace coal, there is still a lot of work you can do in this niche.

Water Supply

We should not underestimate the clean water we use every day such as cleaning, bathing, and cooking. Companies that work with water are responsible for assisting and treating it so that it meets specific guidelines and helps keep water “flowing” into our homes and businesses.

Sewage Removal

One of the dirtiest possible career options in the public utility sector is waste disposal. Those working in this area will be responsible for what happens at our sewage treatment facilities and our industrial sewage systems. As a daily activity of workers, they collect waste and then carry out treatment so that it can without harming the environment.

Job Categories In The Public Utilities Industry

It is nearly impossible to get a job in the public utilities industry. However, we have created a profile with some of the calls for the most common trades that you might find interesting.

Skilled Trade Careers

These jobs may not require advanced degrees, although they may necessitate some training or certification. Many are classified as being in the manufacturing sector, which may be an exciting industry for people who enjoy building and creating.

Meter Readers / Utility Markers

Both of these careers will demand field workers and will frequently involve working alone, so if you are timid, these are some fantastic alternatives for you.

Meter readers will visit homes and businesses to read meters in order to test or evaluate the amount of utility consumption.

Utility marks will be placed across the area to point out the position of subterranean lines that may or may not be affected by construction activities.

If you’re curious about the utility marker profession, read our interview with Marco, a new utility marker who is just getting started!

Wind Turbine Technician

Wind turbine specialists are one of our top choices for public utility careers. With increasing employment in the electric power sector, job growth is expected to reach 68 percent by 2030. However, at a median salary of $55,000, you will have enough money to survive. In addition, many of these professional workers may expect to earn more than $100,000 annually.
However, you should be prepared to face some of the risks involved as this job can take you to high levels. Thus, people in this profession are selected public utility workers who have brave souls!

Electricians

Electricians are in great demand in a wide range of industries, including public utilities. Testing equipment can still be used to ensure that the installed electrical equipment is in working order. Alternatively, you may be required to assist in managing when/determining when new electrical updates are required, as well as in obtaining new hardware.

Plumber/Steamfitter

There are several options in the utility industry, including plumber, steamboat, and other professions (obviously connected or related). Working with steam or water are the two strongest options, but they can also be found in other types of utility trades.

Utility Manager

As you advance in your profession, you may be able to picture a future as a utility manager. In general, Utilities employ the majority of those who manage workers, develop budgets, and control health and other public utility infrastructure such as electricity. Most of the big utility firms want these utility manager skills and abilities, therefore if you have exceptional management skills, you may be a wonderful avenue in the sector.

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Working in this factory means being part of the team that cleans the community’s water. Isn’t that an important job?
The water treatment plant operator will operate the equipment and supervise the necessary procedures. This is to keep the water safe to drink and use for washing and bathing.

Some Other Public Utilites Careers

In public utilities, there are so many job opportunities to have. If a trade job isn’t your thing, then there are other options for you that include support jobs, marketing careers, and finance.

Administration

Being a part of an administrative team may be a wonderful fit if you enjoy organizing and want to help employees that make our world a better place.

Bookkeeping, scheduling, filing, and document completion may be among your tasks. Essentially, you will be the key to a smooth-running workplace and will provide assistance to upper-level management.

Customer Service

A customer service professional is ideal if you like serving others. Then you will be required to work every day and assist customers (who use a product or service) with utility issues. Then, the Important task of your job as Customer Service is responsible for scheduling appointments for repair, installation, or maintenance.

Auditing/Accounting

More complicated financial demands may necessitate the services of more than simply a bookkeeper. As an auditor or accounting expert, you will process statistics to ensure that you can profit and bill your customers correctly.

Enginners and Engineering Techicians

Engineers play an important role in this industry. As an engineer, you will contribute to the development of technologies and procedures that will assist in the improvement of your industry-managed utilities.
Then, an Engineer will provide a number of services that contribute significantly to the company’s efforts, from faster distribution to better cleaning.

Computer Technicians

Computer specialists will be needed/desired in today’s computer-driven world environment. Maintaining the systems, enhancing automation, and starting new computer systems to generate better utility operations are just a few of the numerous jobs you may be assigned.

Pros and Cons of Public Utilites Jobs

Aside from understanding some of the positions in Public Utility, there are some positive and bad aspects that utility personnel must deal with. Job satisfaction might vary depending on your location, the sort of work you do, and the firm you choose to work with for.

Pros

  • Salary: The salaries for experienced and motivated workers could be very high.
  • Benefits: Bonuses such as vacations, sick days and more are benefits for most positions that include medical benefits.
  • Growth: Public industry utilities offer great opportunities for those of you looking for a path to growth.
  • Security: Workers from this industry will provide long-term pay by always ensuring your salary.

Cons

  • Injury: There is always the possibility of harm, especially in the electrical industry.
  • Dirty: Such as waste management and several possible career paths in it.
  • Physical: It is important that you are in good health, as most of these tasks will be physically demanding.
  • Environment: Ready to work in all kinds of weather, if that job will requires being outside.

Salary Information for Public Utilities Careers

Salary in the utilities business is often extremely excellent. As a result, the industry will be determined by your level of experience and the sort of service you can supply. When you work as an administrative assistant, for example, you won’t make as much as someone who works with sewage.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for all public utility employees is $96,782.00*.

Let’s have a look at some more salaries

Electric Power

The income from this job is $83,740 when you are in the power generation sector. The 3 highest paying states are Washington, California, and New Jersey.

Natural Gas

Gas Plant Operators may expect to earn a median yearly salary of $77,850. The chemical manufacturing business has the greatest income, and the top three earning states are Utah, California, and New Jersey.

Water Treatment

All positions in the sewage treatment line have a middle-point once-a-year salary of around $52,320. Careers that are in waste treatment and disposal can pay more than other types of jobs. The 3 highest paying states are the District of Columbia, Washington, and Nevada.

As you can see, the average salary for the public utilities industry tends to be high!

To Work For Public Utility Companies

Companies in the public utility business may be either public or private utilities. These utility firms can be either local or large areas, and they can provide several work opportunities for people of different skill levels.

Judging by the job opportunities they offer, you might start with your local electric or air company. Also, you may have more opportunities if you can always move on from what your local community might have if you are looking for a change in the industry!

Can Public Utilities Be the Right Career?

Then, what do you think?

Can Public Utilities Be the Right Career? In order to start working in public utilities, you must first attend a trade school – you can find a comprehensive list of the top trade schools, their specialisms, and the courses they offer at toptradeschools.com – and become qualified. Also, you should also be eager to learn new talents that will help you advance in your career.

Many employees of public utilities start off in entry-level positions. This could occur before, during, or after attending trade school. However, don’t let this hinder your efforts. Public utility worker needs experience and time to master their job. So that, you’ll be on your way to a fantastic career path and some high paid opportunities if you have patience and study everything you can throughout your entry-level period.

The public utility job path is unquestionably the greatest one, with long-term development, competitive salary, and, of course, excellent perks! So we hope you can make an informed conclusion.