Are you one of those people who are looking forward to being a part of public utility? Well, then this is exactly where you are supposed to be. Most of our population is not aware of how many jobs are available in public utilities. The agency of work statistics explains that the industry employs almost 140,000 people.
The article is specially designed to make you understand what public utilities and their sectors are. Moreover, it’ll help you find your starting point and you will understand how many jobs are available in public utilities. Let’s get started!
How many jobs are available in public utilities in the US
What are public utilities? The services that are served to the public by the government are public utilities for example gas, water, electricity, and trash collection. The US economy gets affected by public utilities. Important services are supplied to Americans every day such as water, power, gas, and sewage removal.
The government keeps a check on the public that’s why it regulates the utilities for public safety. Recently in October 2022, almost 675,775 employees were hired. Public utilities are seen to be an important part of American life as it ensures the flow of homes and business. Public utilities make life easier. It helps protect the public and communities and keeps them healthy that’s why it’s important for you to know how many jobs are available in public utilities.
Electric Power Utilities Sector
The most important thing to drive the economic growth of the country and the electric power industry is electric power utility centers such as companies that help to form, transfer, and distribute electricity. through these homes, offices, shops, and industries get electricity. There are three sub-sectors here:
1. Electric power generation
2. Transmission of electric power
3. Distribution of electric power
Electric Power Generation:
These companies provide us with electricity by generating them from different sources like natural gas, coal, renewable energy, and nuclear energy. Thermal power plants are used worldwide to generate electricity as they make convert heat into steam and use it to drive turbines. When the turbine starts its work of generating electricity, the steam is cooled and converted back to liquid. Almost 172,000 people are employed in this Industry in the US. The country itself explains how many jobs are available in public utilities.
Electric Transmission and Distribution services
This industry is also called the T&D industry and it is one of the parts of the electric power utility sector. This industry form distributes and sells electric power. It is known to be the process of transferring electric power from its generation place to its consuming place. They require a complex network of wires and transfer them over long distances. It is formed to provide electricity and manage the service during an emergency.
Top U.S. Companies In The Industry
- Duke Energy Corporation
- Southern California Edison
- American Electric Power
- NextEra Energy
- Exelon
- Southern Company
- Consolidated Edison
- Dominion Energy
- Xcel Energy
- PPL
Utility Sector of Water & Sewage
This sector’s industries are responsible for supplying sewerage and water services to the public. It gathers wasted water from companies and houses. They work on it before exposing it back to the environment. This keeps the water safe from all pollutants and keeps the public’s health safe.
This industry is critical in the economy of the US as it plays an important part in confirming that the country is provided with a pure and healthy water supply. The water and sewerage demand has increased over the years as the population has increased and so the industry is expected to grow for that the company has been thinking to explain how many jobs are available in public utilities This sector is regularly regulated and the companies are told to keep safety, and health precautions. It also has strict laws, rules, and regulations to balance the services.
Top U.S. Companies In The Industry
- Waste Management, Inc
- SUEZ
- Veolia
- Biffa plc
- Covanta Holding Corporation
- Republic Services, Inc
- Remondis SE & Co. KG
- GFL Environmental Services
- Cleanaway
- Urbaser
Natural Gas Utilities Sector
The natural gas sector serves gas to commercial, industrial, and residential customers. Now, what is natural gas? Clean fossil fuel is burned and is utilized to heat homes, industries, and power businesses which are called natural gas. These services are important for the sectors of energy as they transfer cheap, safe, and reliable services of energy.
Who helps them regulate? The agencies of state and federal help to regulate them and are not compromised when it comes to safety and environmental regulations. This sector of natural gas is an important part of the economy of the US and so the company hires thousands of workers from all over the country and gives billions of dollars. As most people don’t know about these jobs, the government is trying to spread awareness on how many jobs are available in public utilities.
Electric Power Sector
The largest electric power sector in the US is the utilization of natural gas. Natural gas is used in the electricpower sector to form electricity. It is known to be a versatile fuel through which electricity can be generated by means of various technologies. Combined cycle plants play an important role here.
First, we need to know what combined power plants are. They are electric power plants that help in burning natural gas. How do they do that? From the gas turbines, waste heat is captured to form electricity through steam turbines. Electricity can also be generated in simple cycle plants through natural gas, but they are not as reliable as combined cycle plants.
Industrial Sector
In industrial sectors, natural gas is an important factor as it provides a cheap, safe, and pure source of fuel. Almost 30 percent of the utilization of natural gas is done by industries in the US.
Various industries use natural gas like:
- It helps in producing glass, steel, etc.
- It produces cardboard and papers
- Bricks, many ceramic products, and tiles are also formed by natural gas
- Textile machinery and looms are generated with natural gas
- It helps to manufacture chemicals, plastics, and fertilizers.
Residential Sector
The distribution of natural gas to residencies and other customers in the US falls under the category of the residential sector. It is an extremely important one as it provides electricity to businesses and homes. It heats houses and waters and helps in cooking and in textiles drying. Natural gas produces low air pollution as compared to the rest of the fuels like coal or oil because natural gas is a clean-burning fuel. It is expected from the residential sector to grow as the use of natural gas is increasing.
Commercial Sector
The commercial sector involves businesses whether they are small or large. As mentioned above, natural gas is a clean burning fossil fuel and so it is in demand. Moreover, it is available abundantly and is affordable. It has various ways of utilization in this sector. It is a proper and significant source of fuel used for cooling, heating, and providing power for the generation of the vehicles and equipment used in industries.
Top U.S. Companies In The Industry
- Royal Dutch Shell
- British Petroleum
- ConocoPhillips
- Sempra Energy
- Eog Resources Inc.
- Chevron
- Chesapeake Energy
- Devon Energy
- ExxonMobil
- Anadarko Petroleum
What Is The Pay Of A utility Worker?
This is what most people don’t have knowledge about due to which they fail to choose the utility sectors. A utility worker is paid $82,171 each year in the US. This is an average pay of a utility worker. This might seem false but the reason which justifies the fact is that these workers work 43.7 hours every week on average, which means they work hard.
The varies depending on the job in the industry and the experience and education of a worker. Not only that, but retired workers also get benefits from these sectors. A high school diploma or something equivalent to it is required for the workers to apply. Some companies may demand a training certificate.
Growth Of Career In Public Utilities
Industries are filledwith opportunities for an individual’s career growth. They may start as small work and then get promoted to the level of managers and supervisors. They can also move up to the level of engineers and technicians. They can surely become one. Workers can work in their desired areas like water treatment and get specialized in it and gain experience. There are many career opportunities available in the public utility industry.
Conclusion
Don’t run around looking for a stable and well-paid job when you hv public utilities. Public sectors aren’t as difficult as they are known to be. Moreover, they provide various opportunities for one to start their career there. There are so many different sectors which help you to choose a work that you enjoy. From engineering to customer services, it provides you with all kinds of jobs. Furthermore, there are huge benefits and wages that idealize it for job seekers. Just search for your desired position, get information, and go for it. You are almost there, don’t lose hope.
