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Hydropower technician

Also called wave power technician, tidal power technician, hydroelectric technician

Hydropower technicians install and maintain systems in hydropower plants. They perform inspections, analyse problems and carry out repairs. They ensure the turbines operate in compliance with regulations, and assist the hydropower engineers in the construction of turbines.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 14 countries now. 27 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree. 6 in 10 train through vocational routes.Science and engineering associate professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Electrical engineering technicians · ILO

What you'd do

Electrical engineering technicians · ILO
  • Providing technical assistance in research on and development of electrical equipment and facilities, or testing prototypes
  • Designing and preparing blueprints of electrical installations and circuitry according to the specifications given
  • Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for manufacture and installation, according to the specifications given
  • Monitoring technical aspects of the manufacture, installation, utilization, maintenance and repair of electrical systems and equipment to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations
  • Planning installation methods, checking completed installation for safety and controls or undertaking the initial running of the new electrical equipment or systems
  • Assembling, installing, testing, calibrating, modifying and repairing electrical equipment and installations to conform with regulations and safety requirements
Adjust engineering designsOperate scientific measuring equipmentTroubleshootMaintain electrical equipmentMonitor electric generators+ 5 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Hydroelectric Plant Technicians"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

14 EU countries are short of electrical engineering technicians now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering associate professionals in the EU
7.4m7.3m7.49m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
142,000 new jobs 1,835,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering associate professionals27
All jobs29
Right now
14 of 27 countries report a shortage of electrical engineering technicians, 2 a surplus.
Electrical engineering technicians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in electricity and energy is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 41%Vocational 43%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 9%
Field that teaches it
Electricity and energy
Vocational route, EU
6 in 10 trainees in this field
Engineering graduates in a matching job
73% in the EU

949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.27 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 6 tasks
Providing technical assistance in research on and development of electrical equipment and facilities, or testing prototypes0.31
Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for manufacture and installation, according to the specifications given0.30
Designing and preparing blueprints of electrical installations and circuitry according to the specifications given0.29
Monitoring technical aspects of the manufacture, installation, utilization, maintenance and repair of electrical systems and equipment to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations0.28
Planning installation methods, checking completed installation for safety and controls or undertaking the initial running of the new electrical equipment or systems0.25
Assembling, installing, testing, calibrating, modifying and repairing electrical equipment and installations to conform with regulations and safety requirements0.18

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for electrical engineering technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).