How to become a power system operator
Official title: Power system operator
Also called: Power system coordinator, System coordinator, Electricity operations controller, Power systems technician
Power system operators control the flow of electricity from generating stations.
Main tasks
- Control electricity flow
- Monitor systems to keep power stable
- Operate energy flow equipment
- Adjust controls to balance energy flow
- Inspect equipment to ensure it works
- Monitor the weather and other external factors
- Plan operating steps
- Communicate with workers and other power stations
How to become one
You need a qualification and training to become a power system operator and experience may be useful. You need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job. Required: a relevant tertiary qualification in manufacturing, engineering and technology, electrical and electronic engineering and technology, chemical sciences or similar area; to complete on-the-job training courses. Other requirements: a New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Operation) (Level 4); a New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Network Control) (Level 4); a New Zealand Certificate in Energy and Chemical Field Operations (Level 4); a New Zealand Certificate in Energy and Chemical Process Operations (Level 5); experience in similar work.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship in electrical engineering. TEC links this job to study in electrical and electronic engineering and technology. New Zealand apprenticeship (NZQA level 4). Qualifications: NZ Cert in Electrical Trade, NZ Cert in Electrical Engineering (Electromechanical Maintenance and Repair). Usually 3.5 years. Graduates of these qualifications earn a median $82,000 a year one year after study and $92,000 five years after; 91% are employed one year after (TEC, from Stats NZ IDI data).
- Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship in other manufacturing, engineering and technology. TEC links this job to study in manufacturing engineering and technology. New Zealand apprenticeship (NZQA level 4). Qualifications: NZ Cert in Furniture, NZ Cert in Signmaking. Usually 2 to 3 years. Graduates of these qualifications earn a median $63,000 a year one year after study and $78,000 five years after; 93% are employed one year after (TEC, from Stats NZ IDI data).
- Certificates and diplomas: Advanced certificates and diplomas in chemistry. TEC links this job to study in chemical sciences. Qualifications: NZ Dip in Applied Science, Cert in Science and Technology. Usually 1 year. Graduates of these qualifications earn a median $53,000 a year one year after study; 40% are employed one year after (TEC, from Stats NZ IDI data).; Entry certificates in electrical engineering. TEC links this job to study in electrical and electronic engineering and technology. Qualifications: NZ Cert in Electrical Engineering Theory, NZ Cert in Electrical Pre-Trade. Usually 1 year. Graduates of these qualifications earn a median $48,000 a year one year after study and $63,000 five years after; 70% are employed one year after (TEC, from Stats NZ IDI data).; Entry certificates in manufacturing engineering. TEC links this job to study in manufacturing engineering and technology. Qualifications: NZ Cert in Manufacturing. Usually 4 months. Graduates of these qualifications earn a median $36,000 a year one year after study; 27% are employed one year after (TEC, from Stats NZ IDI data).
Pay · Past change
- Most common pay: $74,000 to $155,000 a year (median $107,000), a TEC estimate before tax.
- Lower: $54,000 a year · Upper: $184,000 a year
- TEC's pay figures are estimates only. TEC says they must not be used to set pay, in pay negotiations or in visa applications.
- Change in the number of people doing this job between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses: Strong increase (TEC). This is past change, not a forecast.
Who does this work
- About 400 people did this job at the 2023 Census (TEC).
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Questions people ask
How do I become a power system operator?
You need a qualification and training to become a power system operator and experience may be useful. You need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job. Required: a relevant tertiary qualification in manufacturing, engineering and technology, electrical and electronic engineering and technology, chemical sciences or similar area; to complete on-the-job training courses. Other requirements: a New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Operation) (Level 4); a New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Network Control) (Level 4); a New Zealand Certificate in Energy and Chemical Field Operations (Level 4); a New Zealand Certificate in Energy and Chemical Process Operations (Level 5); experience in similar work.
How much does a power system operator earn in New Zealand?
The Tertiary Education Commission estimates median pay at $107,000 a year, before tax. Most common pay is $74,000 to $155,000 a year.
Has the number of people working as a power system operator grown in New Zealand?
It has grown strongly: TEC records a strong increase in the number of people doing this job between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses. This is past change, not a forecast.
Sources
- Tertiary Education Commission (Tahatu Career Navigator): Tahatu career ideas: descriptions, tasks, pay estimates, people employed, employment change 2018 to 2023, entry requirements, registration, interest scores (Site scrape 2026-10 (816 career ideas, sitemap lastmod 2026-10-01)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
This content is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahatu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. All or some of the information has been modified by Peernovo. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this content.
Qualification information from NZQA, used under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
This work is based on/includes Stats NZ's data which are licensed by Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. Census data via Figure.NZ.
Includes information from O*NET OnLine 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. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Sources: Tertiary Education Commission, Tahatū Career Navigator (career ideas, pay estimates, entry requirements and study options, CC BY 4.0, modified by Peernovo); Stats NZ, 2023 Census (via Figure.NZ) and the National Occupation List (CC BY 4.0); NZQA qualification information (CC BY 3.0 NZ); O*NET interest scores (CC BY 4.0); ILO global generative AI exposure index (CC BY 4.0). Links between career ideas and ANZSCO groups, degree fields and broad job groups are Peernovo's.
These results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Graduate outcomes: these results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Updated 4 October 2026