How much does a power grid technician make?
Answer: A typical power grid technician in the United States makes $103,020 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 21,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Power grid technician pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,730 | $103,020 | $129,920 | about 21,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $121,520 | about 2,000 |
| Georgia | $106,930 | about 540 |
| North Carolina | $104,710 | about 950 |
| Texas | $102,470 | about 2,000 |
| Florida | $101,780 | about 910 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and useful certifications or licenses, as well as employer and location. More complex relay or control duties may pay more, and overtime or shift premiums can change a paycheck.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a power grid technician do?
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
What's a typical day like?
At a substation or power plant, they check relays and breakers with meters and wiring diagrams, then repair faults or test a relay with a laptop. They coordinate equipment shutdowns and record results, sometimes working outdoors.
How to get this job
After high school or a GED, often at 18, start a utility apprenticeship or take a technical-college certificate or associate program; math helps. Apprentices learn on the job, and some electrical work requires a state license or exam.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some protective relays can help restore power automatically after a fault clears—sometimes in less than the blink of an eye.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Sources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/49-2095.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes492095.htm
- www.dws.nm.gov/en-us/Apprenticeship-Programs/Substation-Electrician-Apprenticesh
- getintoenergy.org/apprenticeships/
- oppdthewire.com/relay-specialists-help-keep-the-electrical-system-safe-and-relia
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY