Utilities Employment and Wages in 2023

In 2023, the Utilities industry employed over 565 thousand people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 4% from 2022. The annual mean wage in 2023 was $97,250, and the median wage was $95,530. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 48.5%.

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 394 thousand people in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $101,680, with a median wage of $99,600. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 57.3% to 55.3%, indicating industry wages lagged national wage trends.

Natural Gas Distribution accounted for a substantial employment share, with 113 thousand people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $98,230, and the median wage was $93,610. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 55.8% to 50%.

The sub-group of Water, Sewage and Other Systems also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 58 thousand people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $65,410 and the median wage was $54,050. The wage variance to the national average experienced a decrease compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 1.2% to -0.1%.

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 2023, at $158,740, and a median wage of $138,100. The industry variance to the national average was 22.7%. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers had an annual mean wage of $121,190 and a median wage of $124,460. The industry variance to the national average was 69%. Electrical Engineers had an annual mean wage of $116,630 and a median wage of $110,840. The industry variance to the national average was -0.9%.

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 $57,160 and a median wage of $51,910. The industry variance to the national average was -1.5%. Customer Service Representatives had an annual mean wage of $60,520 and a median wage of $56,690. The industry variance to the national average was 39.1%. Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door had an annual mean wage of $84,520 and a median wage of $85,870. The industry variance to the national average was 16.8%.

Summary

In 2023, the U.S. Utilities industry employed over 565,000 people, reflecting a 4% increase from 2022. The annual mean wage was $97,250, and the median wage was $95,530, 48.5% higher than the national average. Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution was the largest sub-group, employing 394,000 people with a mean wage of $101,680, though its wage competitiveness slightly declined. Natural Gas Distribution employed 113,000 people with a mean wage of $98,230, showing a similar trend in reduced wage variance. Water, Sewage, and Other Systems employed 58,000 people, offering a lower mean wage of $65,410, now slightly below the national average. Top-paying roles, such as General and Operations Managers, earned $158,740, while First-Line Supervisors earned $121,190. Lower-wage roles, including Water Treatment Operators and Customer Service Representatives, earned mean wages of $57,160 and $60,520, respectively, with mixed competitiveness against national averages. Overall, the industry showed solid employment growth, with wages significantly outpacing national averages in most sub-groups and occupations.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2023 Utilities Industry Report.