Public Utilities are companies responsible for providing people with essential goods and services. These include electric, gas, water, power, telecommunication, and sewage removal. Workers in the public sector utilities help common people live comfortable lifestyles. A career in the public utilities sector in the USA will be a great choice as many job opportunities are available to you, from administration to human resources to finance employees. Both public and private companies work together in the public utilities field to provide consistent and safe resources to consumers.
What is the Public Utilities Field?
Public utilities are essential for daily life. They provide water, gas, and electricity. They include electric power providers, water and sewage companies, and natural gas providers.
Electric companies maintain power for lights and electronic devices, often operating over large regions.
Water utilities ensure the provision of clean and distilled water, which is vital for health and hygiene.
Natural gas companies supply fuel for heating and cooking, keeping homes warm.
Sewage companies manage wastewater, maintaining environmental cleanliness and sanitation.
Also, Telecommunication companies and Renewable energy providers are in the public utilities field.
Remember that public utilities can be Publicly Owned, Investor-owned, or Cooperatives.
Publicly Owned are Government-owned and prioritize public services.
Investor-owned utilities balanced the needs of shareholders and customers.
Cooperatives are customer-owned with customers benefiting from the utilities’ service.
is Public Utilities a Good Career Path?
You will get several job opportunities in the public utilities sector. From Wastewater Engineer to Public Administration to Technician, lots of job options are available for you. If you love to help others for their live improvement, then this sector will be the best choice for you. We hope the following points will encourage you to start your career in the public utilities sector.
Job Security: Public utilities provide essential services such as water, gas, and electricity. Hence, working here will give more job stability than any other sector.
Lots of Job Opportunities: Public utilities provide many job opportunities based on your knowledge and skills. So, there’s a huge score to build a strong career.
Technology Advancement: Several public utilities invest in technology to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This will give employees opportunities to learn technical skills that can be beneficial for them in the long term.
Competitive Salary and Benefits: Most companies in public utilities provide competitive pay and benefits. Like sick leave, and other health benefits. Your salary scale will depend on the experience you gained.
Job Satisfaction: If you enjoy assisting others, then the field of public utilities will be the ultimate choice for you. Workers in these utilities offer essential services, including water, gas, and electricity, to the common people and help them maintain a good lifestyle.
Available Jobs in the Public Utilities Field
There are various job opportunities in the public utilities sector. These include:
Customer Support: The role involves addressing concerns raised by customers. The roles in the position include billing officers and representatives.
Information Technology: The job purpose is to manage and maintain the information system & technology of a public utility. The role includes cybersecurity specialist, software developer, and other related jobs.
Management: Managers will ensure that the products are up to quality and complete the project within the deadlines. The positions include roles like general manager, project manager, and operations manager.
Safety & Regulations: The field makes sure that the public utilities comply with the Govt regulations and set the industry standards. Environmental compliance-based roles are included in the sector.
Finance: This sector helps companies in the financial aspects including budgeting and financial reporting. You can start your career here as an accountant or financial analyst.
Operations: This involves technicians, engineers, and plant managers who manage and maintain the day-to-day operations of a public utility including the production and distribution of the services.
Leading Companies in the Public Utilities Field
In the undermentioned section, we have highlighted the top 10 companies in the public utilities field in the USA where you can start your career.
1. American Electric Power
Headquarters: AEP Building, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
It is the largest electric utility in the USA with more than 5 million customers in 11 states. The company owns nearly 38,000 MW of generating capacity in the USA and also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system. AEP provides near about 10 percent of electric demand in the Eastern Interconnection that covers 38 eastern and central U.S states as well as eastern Canada. The company also covers 11 percent of the electricity demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
2. Southern Company
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Southern Company is the 2nd largest electric utility in the USA that provides service to more than 9 million customers in 6 states. The company owns more than 44,000 MW of generating capacity. Southern Company also develops renewable power across the USA and opens the first nuclear units in the US. About 31,300 people work here.
3. Duke Energy Corporation
Headquarters: Duke Energy Plaza, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky.
4. AT&T
Headquarters: Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States
AT&T is an American multinational telecommunication company with more than 40 million subscribers in the USA. It is also the second-largest provider of mobile telephone service as well as the largest provider of fixed telephone service in America. AT&T also provides services in several locations in the Asia Pacific and is also active in Mexico.
5. Verizon Communications Inc
Headquarters: 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, New York, U.S.
It is an American multinational telecommunication company established in 1984. As of September 30, 2024, the company has more than 114.2 million subscribers. Verizon is the world’s 2nd largest telecommunication company by revenue as well as the largest wireless carrier in the USA. The company was ranked #23 in 2022 in the Fortune 500 and #54 in the Fortune Global 500.
6. Comcast
Headquarters: Comcast Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
It is the fourth-largest broadcasting and cable TV company in the world (by revenue). The company has more than 30 million customers in the USA. It provides cable TV, internet, and phone to the subscribers. Also, its commercial includes cybersecurity and cloud computing. The company was started in 1963.
7. Aqua America, Inc (Essential Utilities)
Headquarters: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States
Founded in 1886- Essential Utilities formally known as Aqua America, Inc. is the largest traded water and wastewater utilities that provides services to more than 3 million people in North Carolina, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
8. American Water Works Company, Inc.
Headquarters: Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
It is one of America’s largest water public utilities that provides water and wastewater services in the USA. The company offers services to more than 1700 communities in 14 states and has a huge customer base of over 3.4 million including fire service & private fire, residential, commercial, industrial, Govt facilities, and other water and wastewater utilities.
9. Xcel Energy Inc.
Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Xcel Energy Inc. is an American electric utility and natural gas delivery company. It provides electric service to more than 3.7 million people and also serves 2.1 million natural gas customers in eight states. The company is traded publicly through the New York Stock Exchange under the code “X.E.L”.
10. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
It is an American utility holding company that serves more than 1.2 million consumers in 11 of the state’s 15 countries. It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and a component of the S&P 500 stock market index.
Conclusion| What Companies Are In The Public Utilities Field
Companies that provide necessary services and goods like electricity, gas, water, and natural gas come under public utilities. It is a rapidly growth industry and has several job opportunities. Here, we have discussed every possible information related to the term public utilities. We also highlighted 10 top companies in the public utilities sector. We hope this information will help you to choose a path.
Also Read,
FAQs
What Companies are in the Public Utilities field in the USA?
- American Electric Power
- Southern Company
- Duke Energy Corporation
- AT&T
- Verizon Communications Inc
- Comcast
- Aqua America, Inc (Essential Utilities)
- American Water Works Company, Inc.
- Xcel Energy Inc.
- Pinnacle West Capital Corporation
