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Military Power Plant Mechanics

Military Career

General Information

Description

Power plant mechanics install, maintain, and repair mechanical equipment in power-generating stations. They maintain various types of power-generating equipment on land, ships, and submarines. They also support the mobile utility equipment that the Military provides as portable, temporary sources of electricity.

Work Environment

Powerhouse mechanics work in equipment repair shops, power plant stations, or power-generating rooms aboard ships. Sometimes they work outdoors while repairing substation-generating equipment.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure
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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Power Plant Mechanics in the Military

37,113

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Salary

Average Salary

$74,020

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 73%
  • Post-secondary certificate 20%
  • Associate's degree 3%
  • Some college 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Powerhouse mechanics in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: Principles of electricityGas and diesel engine theoriesHydraulic (fluid pressure) and pneumatic (air pressure) system maintenancePerforming electrical assessmentsGenerator and power plant operationsElectrical generation and distributionDiesel generator operation, disassembly, inspection, and maintenance

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Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Education and Training

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