Utilities Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Utilities industry employed over 543 thousand people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 0.6% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $93,650, and the median wage was $91,990. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 51.3%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution held the largest number of jobs within the Utilities industry, employing over 378 thousand people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $97,360, with a median wage of $96,560. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 58.9% to 57.3%, indicating industry wages lagged national wage trends.

Natural Gas Distribution accounted for a substantial employment share, with 110 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $96,470, and the median wage was $92,020. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 57.7% to 55.8%.

The sub-group of Water, Sewage and Other Systems also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 55 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $62,640 and the median wage was $50,760. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 0.3% to 1.2%.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we examine the top occupations in terms of employment within the Utilities industry, we find that General and Operations Managers had the highest annual mean wage in 2022, at $153,660, and a median wage of $134,040. The industry variance to the national average was 25.1%. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers had an annual mean wage of $115,400 and a median wage of $118,350. The industry variance to the national average was 67%. Electrical Engineers had an annual mean wage of $113,330 and a median wage of $105,950. The industry variance to the national average was -0.6%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Utilities industry included Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, with an annual mean wage of $54,150 and a median wage of $49,110. The industry variance to the national average was -2.8%. Customer Service Representatives had an annual mean wage of $59,010 and a median wage of $53,720. The industry variance to the national average was 43.3%. Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door had an annual mean wage of $80,190 and a median wage of $81,760. The industry variance to the national average was 15.5%.

Summary

The Utilities industry, consisting of electric power generation, transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, and water, sewage, and other systems, employed over 543 thousand people in the United States in 2022, reflecting a slight increase of 0.6% from the previous year. Wages in this industry group were significantly higher compared to the national average by 51.3%. Despite the wage difference, the Utilities industry plays a vital role in providing essential services to the public, ensuring reliable access to electricity, gas, and water resources.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Utilities Industry Report.