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Substation technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$103,020median pay per year, or $49.53 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $65,730lowest 10% earn less
  2. $81,86025th percentile
  3. $103,020median
  4. $118,87075th percentile
  5. $129,920top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median pay for a substation technician was $103,020 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow faster than the all-occupation rate over the next decade[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+9.7%[2]
Openings per year
1,800[6]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[7]

How much do substation technicians make?

BLS files this job under Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay. In May 2025 the median pay was $103,020 a year, or $49.53 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The mean, or average, was $100,760 a year, or $48.44 an hour[8].

For comparison, the median annual pay across all occupations in the US was $50,980[5]. So the median here was about twice that figure.

Here is how annual pay was spread out[4]:

Point in the range Annual pay Hourly pay
10th percentile[4][9] $65,730 $31.60
25th percentile[4][9] $81,860 $39.35
Median[1] $103,020 $49.53
75th percentile[4][9] $118,870 $57.15
90th percentile[4][9] $129,920 $62.46

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $65,730[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

These figures cover wage and salary workers, about 20,720 of them[11]. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12].

Pay by state and city

Median pay differed a lot by state. Oregon was first at $131,050, followed by Hawaii at $127,330 and Washington at $125,620[13]. Nevada had the lowest median among the 48 states with published data, at $74,360[13].

The most jobs were in New York (3,160), Texas (2,360) and California (1,680), followed by Ohio (1,120) and Pennsylvania (1,110)[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $135,130[15]. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA came next at $131,080, then Jacksonville, FL at $120,840[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 2,870, with a median of $96,170[16].

Show median pay in 48 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Oregon[13]$131,050170
Hawaii$127,33070
Washington$125,620410
Colorado$125,560210
Alaska$125,26080
California$121,5201,680
Massachusetts$119,460430
Idaho$119,170100
Maryland$117,760n/a
Utah$114,250100
New Jersey$111,600450
Connecticut$109,610210
Wisconsin$108,980150
Rhode Island$107,98030
Illinois$107,470420
Georgia$106,930540
Michigan$106,600450
Indiana$105,700290
Vermont$105,64030
Kansas$104,970280
Nebraska$104,85060
North Carolina$104,710950
Texas$102,4702,360
South Dakota$101,83040
Florida$101,780910
Pennsylvania$101,6601,110
Arkansas$101,120260
New Mexico$100,410140
Minnesota$99,900n/a
Virginia$99,390910
Kentucky$98,860130
Ohio$98,7001,120
New York$98,3103,160
Oklahoma$97,800330
West Virginia$97,60070
Montana$97,380130
Missouri$96,850290
Tennessee$96,840430
Alabama$95,150280
Mississippi$94,970160
Maine$92,570160
South Carolina$91,140230
Iowa$86,490120
New Hampshire$81,02050
Louisiana$80,610370
Arizona$79,160160
North Dakota$75,05080
Nevada$74,360n/a

How to become a substation technician

BLS describes a typical path with three parts[7]:

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile used here covers a wider group of repairers, so its training details are general. It says that powerhouse, substation and relay repairers may gain experience by first working as electricians[17]. It also says employers may prefer applicants who took electronics courses at a community college or technical school, and that hands-on programs give practical experience[18]. New hires usually get a mix of classroom instruction and work alongside an experienced technician, and the length varies by position and employer[19].

In an ONET survey of 28 workers, 50% said a post-secondary certificate is required, 28% said an associate degree, 11% said some college courses and 8% said a high school diploma or equivalent[20]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Three, which means previous skill, knowledge or experience is needed[21].

Certifications are not required for the job. They may show specific knowledge[22].

What substation technicians do

O*NET describes the work as inspecting, testing, repairing or maintaining electrical equipment in generating stations, substations and in-service relays[23]. Typical tasks include[24]:

O*NET workers report job titles such as relay technician, substation electrician, substation mechanic and instrument and control technician[25].

Where they work

The OOH text for the wider group says many of these workers are in repair shops or factories, some work outdoors in all weather, and travel to job sites may be needed[26]. Manufacturing was the largest employer of the group at 17%[27]. The work can mean lifting heavy equipment and working in awkward positions[28]. Most work full time, and some may be on call evenings or weekends for emergency repairs[29].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 9.7% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 20,900 to 22,900 jobs, a gain of 2,000[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 1,800 openings a year on average[6]. Openings count new jobs and also jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations[6]. Each year about 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 5% move to a different occupation[30].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is high compared with the all-occupation median, and the range from the 10th to the 90th percentile is wide[1][4][5]. The entry path asks for a postsecondary nondegree award, related experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. Growth is projected to beat the all-occupation rate, though the job is a small one with about 20,720 wage and salary workers[11][2][3]. The facts we have do not give program costs or length, so check those locally.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[31].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a substation technician make an hour?
The median was $49.53 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $31.60 and the 90th was $62.46[1][9].
What education do you need to be a substation technician?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[7]. In an O*NET survey of 28 workers, 50% said a post-secondary certificate is required[20].
Is substation technician a growing job?
BLS projects 9.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 1,800 openings a year[2][3][6].
What is the highest paying state for substation technicians?
Oregon had the highest median pay at $131,050, ahead of Hawaii at $127,330 and Washington at $125,620[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay in the US was $103,020 per year and $49.53 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay is projected to grow 9.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 20,900 to 22,900 jobs (a change of +2,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay: 10th percentile $65,730, 25th percentile $81,860, 75th percentile $118,870, 90th percentile $129,920. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,800 openings for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay was $100,760 per year and $48.44 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay: 10th percentile $31.60, 25th percentile $39.35, 75th percentile $57.15, 90th percentile $62.46. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 20,720 people were employed as Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay jobs: New York 3,160; Texas 2,360; California 1,680; Ohio 1,120; Pennsylvania 1,110. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $135,130; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $131,080; Jacksonville, FL $120,840; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $119,460; Syracuse, NY $119,230; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $118,990; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $114,480; Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $114,170. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,870 (median $96,170); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 540 (median $118,990); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 520 (median $103,940); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 410 (median $102,470); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 400 (median $106,510); Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX 390 (median $103,120). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 49-2095.00 survey of workers (28 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 50%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 28%, Some College Courses 11%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET 49-2095.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 49-2095.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Electrical and Instrumentation Technician (E and I Technician), Electrical Technician, Instrument and Control Technician (I and C Technician), Instrumentation and Control Technician (I and C Technician), Relay Technician, Substation Electrician, Substation Mechanic, Substation Technician. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of electrical and electronics installers and repairers in 2025: Manufacturing 17%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  31. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.