How Many Jobs Are Available in Public Utilities? In the US, there are reportedly 675,775 jobs available in Public Utilities.
Studies show that the number of workers in the US utilities industry grows by 0.5% annually.
There are numerous opportunities to obtain a position or a job due to the public utilities sector’s rapid growth.
Public utilities are a crucial component of our society. In this society, there are more job opportunities available, and there are many different professions that can be entered to provide services, such as plumbers, electricians, water, telecommunication, and so on.
A public utility is a business that supplies the general public with goods or services, such as electricity, telephone, television, natural gas, water supply, sewage systems, or postal services.
The federal, state or local governments frequently control public utilities.
The public utility business has experienced substantial growth, creating opportunities for individuals to obtain a position or a career.
In other cases, the term “public utility” may be used to describe businesses that provide these goods or services but are wholly controlled by private parties.
Common carriers and corporations that provide a variety of services could both be considered public utilities.
A public utility, often known as a public utility business, is an organization that manages the backbone infrastructure for public service.
In the public utility industry, a wide variety of employment types are available.
The number of jobs depends on the type of utility, the conditions, the area, and the state. For some fields, there could be more prerequisites than for others.
As a result of the expanding population, economy, and number of cities, there are many chances in public utilities.
How Many Jobs Are Available in The Public Utilities Field?
As of November 2022, the public utilities sector provided over 675,775 people with jobs across the country, making it a large employer in the country.
In the United States, there are nearly 3,000 public utilities. Americans can rely on these utilities for essential services including gas, electricity, and water.
To ensure that they offer their consumers secure and dependable customer service, state and federal governments oversee public utilities.
One needs to be aware of the breakdown of the various public utilities in order to determine the number of jobs in this industry.
The Electric power industry

Electricity is an essential necessity in modern society. It provides energy for our homes, businesses, and industries.
According to the USEER research report, this industry will employ almost 7.5 million people by the end of 2020.
The generation, transmission, and distribution sectors are the three main divisions of the electric power industry.
Generation of Electricity:
Several energy sources, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear fusion, hydroelectric power, solar power, and wind power, are used to generate electricity in power plants.
Coal supplies slightly less than half of the country’s electricity. The majority of the remaining energy is generated through a mix of hydroelectric, nuclear, and natural gas plants.
The generation of electricity from renewable sources, such as geothermal, wind, and solar energy, is growing quickly but still only accounts for a small portion of the total.
Transmission & Distribution Services:
The sector of electric power transmission, which is crucial to our civilization, provides residential and business customers with electricity distribution and transmission services.
Distributors handle carrying it through their networks, like as poles or meters, before it eventually reaches at your home through wire cables for your use.
The voltage of electricity is raised to the level of the power grid as it exits a generating facility. Huge towers that support transmission cables link producing units with industrial clients and substations.
Distribution lines, which are often carried by telephone poles, are used to deliver the power, which is then decreased in voltage at substations and made available for usage in homes and small businesses.
Water & Sewage Utility Sector.
Water utilities clean and deliver tap water for usage by commercial and residential clients. Rivers, lakes, and wells are used to collect water.
After being collected, water is processed before being sold for use in the home, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and public settings.
Depending on the population that the water system serves, the utility may be a small plant in a remote location that only occasionally needs to be supervised by a single operator or it may be a massive network of reservoirs, dams, pipelines, and treatment facilities that needs the coordinated efforts of hundreds of people.
This industry is also in charge of removing wastewater from residences and businesses.
After treatment, the water is released back into the environment. Thus, we can draw the conclusion that this is a very unique and important process that this industry is in charge of removing wastewater from residences and businesses.
After treatment, the water is released back into the environment. We can therefore draw the conclusion that this is a very unique and important process that preserves the quality and well-being of our water supplies.
The large industry of sewage water remediation employs thousands of people nationally. Additionally, the establishment and upkeep of water collection and disposal facilities for wastewater treatment is the responsibility of the enterprises in this sector.
Waste from residences, businesses, and industries is collected, treated, and disposed of via sewage treatment facilities’ sewer systems or plants.
These utilities are in charge of cleaning up wastewater to prevent it from being released into the environment, even though requirements for sewage are not as strict as those for tap water.
In the United States in 2008, more than 52,000 community water systems provided services to over 292.3 million people.
The 29,100 smallest water systems only provided service to 4.9 million people, while the 400 largest systems provided service to more than 133.1 million.
This exemplifies how economies of scale in the utility sector allow a few large businesses to serve sizable customer bases in urban areas more effectively than many smaller ones.
Natural Gas Utilities Sector
The natural gas utilities sector is one of the most important sectors of the world economy.
It is in charge of providing locals and businesses with access to natural gas, which is used to heat homes and power enterprises.
This one industry alone employs more than 9.8 million people. This amounts to 5.6% of US workers not having insurance.
The value chain for unconventional oil and natural gas also supports around 2.1 million jobs.
Residential Use of Natural Gas
The use of natural gas in homes has various benefits. It is effective for heating water and buildings, drying textiles, and cooking.
Additionally, compared to other fuels like coal or oil, natural gas burns cleaner, resulting in less air pollution.
Natural gas has a variety of business uses in addition to being typically thought of as a fuel for home heating in the commercial sector.
Additionally, it may generate electricity for use in cars and heat water. It is also used in other pursuits, such as industrial manufacturing.
In the Industrial Sector, providing a reliable, cost-effective fuel supply, natural gas is essential for many sectors.
Over 30% of the nation’s overall natural gas consumption is accounted for by industrial users in the US. Many different industries use natural gas, including;
- It serves as a feedstock for the production of polymers, chemicals, and fertilizers.
- Steel, glass, and other materials are made with the help of natural gas.
- It is utilized in the manufacture of cardboard and paper.
- The energy utilized to run looms and other textile machines is natural gas.
- It is also widely employed in the manufacture of ceramic tiles, bricks, and other items.
As more people learn about the advantages of using natural gas, the industry has been expanding quickly in recent years.
Steam and air-conditioning supply utilities, which create and market steam, heated air, and cooled air, are among the other systems.
List of Jobs available in Public Utilities 2022
The following jobs are listed as being in high demand in the public utilities sector:
- Utility Manager
- Power Plant Engineer
- Radiation Engineer
- Nuclear Licensing Engineer
- Pipeline Controller
- Substation Engineer
- Power System Dispatcher
- Water Resource Specialist
- Petroleum pump systems operators
- Power plant operators
- Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer
- Gas Controller
- Pipeline Inspectors
- Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer
- Power distributors
- Electric Power Plant manager
- Natural Gas Distribution Manager
- Power plant maintenance supervisor
- Renewable energy manager
- Nuclear Power reactor operator
- Wind Turbine Service technician
- Solar photovoltaic Installer
- Geothermal power plant operator
- Hydroelectric power plant operator
- Electrical Manager
- Energy Auditor
- Wind farm manager
- Welders
- Hydroelectric Plant technician
- Water Resource engineer
- Gas Plant Manager
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Elevator Installers and Repairers among others.
A few of the jobs in detail;
Manager of utilities
The water, gas, electric, and wastewater systems must all be kept running and maintained by the utility manager.
The work of utility personnel is supervised by them, and they make sure that everything is done effectively and safely. In order to make sure that their operations are as efficient as they possibly can be, they also perform annual audits.
Additionally, they create protocols for the utilities’ operation.
Engineer in Radiology
Radiation engineers make sure that facilities adhere to federal radiation safety rules at public utilities like electric and water corporations.
Additionally, they train staff on proper Radiation safety procedures and create new Radiation safety regulations.
Gas Controller
They are essential for maintaining the effectiveness and safety of operations.
Gas controllers are responsible for monitoring and regulating the flow of natural gas in situations when a public utility provides services to both commercial and residential customers.
Gas controllers work together with other public utility team members like engineers and customer service personnel to ensure that the gas supply is secure and reliable.
On occasion, gas controllers may be responsible for responding to emergencies.
Liquid petroleum gas and natural gas distribution in specific areas of industrial buildings is the responsibility of gas controllers.
Pipeline Controller
A pipeline controller is in charge of controlling the pipeline’s flow rate and pressure. The pipeline system needs to be made to run effectively.
Planning for new pipelines and monitoring the effectiveness of the ones that already exist are both parts of pipeline control.
The daily management of the pipeline system is the responsibility of pipeline controllers. One makes sure that the pipeline is run safely, effectively, and in accordance with all legal criteria.
A pipeline controller also coordinates with other organizations and interested parties to guarantee that the pipeline system is run in a way that is advantageous to all parties.
Nuclear Licensing Engineer
They are in charge of ensuring that nuclear power plants run safely and effectively.
Engineers that specialize in nuclear licensing collaborate with other engineers and technical employees to guarantee that the plant satisfies all safety and legal criteria.
Engineers who specialize in nuclear licensing also create and implement safety procedures, keep an eye on the operation of the facility, and study emerging nuclear technology.
Power Systems Engineer
Designing, examining, and managing electrical power systems are under the purview of power system engineers.
These are frequently used by manufacturing corporations, government organizations, consultancy firms, and energy utilities.
They also work on planning, operating, and controlling the electricity system, as well as designing transmission lines.
Researchers and developers of novel power system technologies include power system engineers.
Water Resource Specialist
These professionals look after and safeguard our most precious natural resource, water. Water resources design and manage water conservation strategies, keep an eye on water quality, and guarantee that tap water complies with safety requirements.
Safety Engineer for Nuclear Criticality
An expert in the nuclear sector, a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer is in charge of managing and maintaining nuclear facilities as well as other aspects of the secure operation of nuclear plants.
The major responsibility of a nuclear criticality safety engineer is to ensure that other atomic facilities are safe to use and that nuclear power plant workers are protected from radiation exposure.
Additionally, it is necessary to be able to maintain the stability of nuclear reactors, which entails controlling the temperature, flow rate, and pressure of all the fluids used to operate a reactor in addition to making sure that all safety precautions are taken.
Supporter of the control room
These are in charge of keeping an eye on the machinery and systems that power the utility. Additionally, they are in charge of handling any alerts or crises.
Meter Reader
A meter reader is in charge of reading and documenting the use of electricity, water, or gas in factories and other commercial establishments. The information is then used to determine how much power is consumed by each type of customer.
Engineer for Nuclear Licensing
Control of nuclear installations and facilities is the responsibility of a nuclear licensing engineer. Additionally, one makes sure that no other industrial operations can contaminate nuclear plants.
By making sure that all plans and designs for nuclear facilities adhere to the necessary standards, they also guarantee that the correct safety requirements are followed.
They are also in charge of designing and planning upcoming nuclear programs.
Distribution of Power Engineer
The management and upkeep of electricity distribution in an industrial sector are under the purview of a power distribution engineer.
Plans for the installation of new power lines, transformers, and generators must be made by one.
The engineer must have a thorough understanding of the engineering principles underlying the design of power lines, transformers, and generators in addition to a working knowledge of gas distribution systems.
Director of Water
For the proper treatment of the water flows, a skilled water superintendent is essential. A water superintendent makes decisions about how water enters towns or municipal treatment facilities.
The provision of drinking water and wastewater treatment to a city, a country, or a number of towns or villages within the country requires the preparation of plans as well.
Engineer for wind farms
This position entails engineering components of the system that drives the rotating blades in major power facilities where wind turbines are used.
To enable wind turbine functioning, one will need to identify where current wind turbines are and research any additional infrastructure.
Officer for Radiation Safety
Managing the security of nuclear and radioactive waste items is under the purview of a radiation safety officer.
The security of these materials is being watched over by the radiation safety officer.
Additionally, one is in charge of managing any situations that can include radioactive material as well as any contamination brought on by nuclear accidents.
Transmission Line Engineer
The blueprints for the electricity lines or communication cables that deliver these services must be created by transmission line engineers.
It entails putting together proposals for electrical or telecommunications installations and working with clients to find a solution that will fulfill their needs.
Engineer of Water Resources
The management of the creation of new water resources falls within the purview of a water resource engineer.
It entails controlling the development and construction of new water resources including reservoirs, dams, and dikes.
Additionally, it entails keeping up with current aqueducts and dams.
Substation Operator
It may be necessary for substation operators to manage an electric substation so that users can access the electricity supply in a secure and dependable manner.
Transformers, power converters, and circuit breakers are among the electrical devices that must be inspected and cleaned.
One of the most appealing aspects of working for a public service organization is the variety of opportunities that are available to prospective employees.
Conclusion on How Many Jobs Are Available in Public Utilities
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a stable and gratifying career, working for a utilities companies may be a great fit for you considering that there are over 675,775 jobs available in public utilities.
This area offers a wide number of options, whether you’re looking to switch careers or are simply trying to break in.
You will undoubtedly find a job that matches your skills and interests among the various options that are currently available.
One should also visit a company’s website to see if there are any vacant opportunities that fit their qualifications before applying to a public utility.
Related articles:
References : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_utility