Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Power distributors and dispatchers manage work in a field where compensation is relatively high and employment is limited. National employment is 9,000, with 1,000 annual openings and a projected employment decline of -3.2%. This combination suggests that while there are ongoing opportunities to enter the field, the overall number of positions is expected to shrink over time. The national median annual salary of $107,240 indicates strong earning potential, with even higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. The role draws on a mix of detail orientation, problem solving and decision making, adaptability, critical and analytical thinking, and comfort with computers and information technology. Mathematics, science, project management, writing and reading, and mechanical skills are also important. Individuals considering this path should be ready to build these skill sets and navigate a career landscape where job numbers are tightening but wages remain attractive in many locations.
Power distributors and dispatchers earn a national median annual salary of $107,240, placing this occupation among higher-paying options for workers with the typical education of a high school diploma or equivalent. Salaries vary significantly by state. Washington reports the highest listed median salary at $144,710, followed by New York at $139,390 and California at $137,570. Massachusetts also offers a six-figure median at $121,010, while Virginia’s median salary of $81,080 is lower than these other top states. At the metro level, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue stands out with a median salary of $160,570, and the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro shows a median of $134,250. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also offer six-figure medians. These figures indicate that geographic choice can have a substantial impact on earnings in this occupation.
Nationally, power distributors and dispatchers have employment of 9,000, with a projected employment growth rate of -3.2%. This negative growth indicates that total jobs in the field are expected to decline. However, there are still 1,000 annual openings, which can arise from workers retiring, changing careers, or moving to other roles. The -3.2% projected growth rate appears consistently across the listed top states and metro areas, suggesting a broadly similar trend rather than localized expansion. For career planning, this means candidates should be prepared for a competitive environment where replacement openings may be more common than growth-driven hiring. Those interested in this occupation can use the combination of annual openings and detailed location data to target regions and metros that best align with their salary and employment preferences, while remaining mindful of the overall contraction in job numbers.
Location makes a clear difference for power distributors and dispatchers in both pay and concentration of jobs. Among states, Washington has the highest listed median salary at $144,710, along with employment of 380. New York and California pair strong wages ($139,390 and $137,570, respectively) with moderate employment levels (150 in New York and 670 in California). Massachusetts offers a median of $121,010 with 390 employed, while Virginia has a lower median salary of $81,080 and employment of 330. Opportunity scores range from 67.38 in California to 54.96 in Virginia, signaling varying overall attractiveness. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $134,250, and employment of 330. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has the highest listed metro median salary at $160,570 but lower employment at 80. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim all combine mid-to-high six-figure medians with smaller employment bases, offering diverse options depending on salary targets and desired market size.
The typical education level for power distributors and dispatchers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who have not pursued postsecondary degrees, while still offering relatively high median pay. Success in this field, however, depends on cultivating a specific mix of skills. Detail orientation and strong problem solving and decision making are central, supported by adaptability and critical and analytical thinking. Comfort with computers and information technology is also important, along with a foundation in mathematics and science. Project management skills help in organizing work and coordinating tasks, while writing and reading support effective communication and documentation. Mechanical skills round out the profile, reflecting the need to understand and work with technical systems. Prospective workers should focus on building these capabilities through education, training, and hands-on experiences that reinforce both technical and analytical strengths.
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