Will “Power Plant Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Power Plant Operator” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #529 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-8021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 61,410.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 29.00
Currently, there are 33,720 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Power Plant Operator”

Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
Investigate and report on accidents.
Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, compressors, and air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.

Related Technology & Tools

Safety glasses
Pressure gauges
Socket wrench sets
Filter masks
Safety gloves
Sandblasters
Pipe cutters
Electronic remote reading thermometers
Pneumatic pumps
Equipment cleaning scrapers
Graduated glass cylinders
Metal cutting taps
Oil guns
Grease guns
Turbidimeters
Colorimeters
Electronic temperature sensors
Dropping pipettes
Thermocouples
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Self-contained breathing apparatus
Ohmmeters
Tapping machines
Shielded arc welding tools
Phillips head screwdrivers
Micrometers
Electric drain augers
Grapple cranes
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Hand pipe threaders
Power saws
Protective ear plugs
Hydraulic boom trucks
Steam cleaning equipment
Voltmeters
Bourdon tubes
Infrared guns
Drill presses
Digital multimeters
Ratchets
Dial calipers
Pipe wrenches
Manifold test gauges
Scaffolding
Layout squares
Gas brazing equipment
Personal computers
Bench lathes
Conductivity meters
Descalers
Locking pliers
Combustion analyzers
Claw hammers
Hydrometers
Forklifts
Two way radios
Pressure transmitters
Straight screwdrivers
Precision levels
Adjustable wrenches
Amp meters
Power meters
Dial indicators
Sling psychrometers
Rotary hammers
Ladders
pH indicators
Hydraulic press frames
Opacity meters
Metal cutting dies
Industrial platform scales
Power drills
Water column gauges

Data entry software
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Email software
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Word
Word processing software
Graphics software
Microsoft Excel
Building management system software
Database software
Spreadsheet software
Web browser software
Statistical software