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”

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

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Protective ear plugs
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Colorimeters
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Precision levels
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Layout squares
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Dropping pipettes
Phillips head screwdrivers
Locking pliers
Electronic remote reading thermometers
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Micrometers
Electronic temperature sensors
Manifold test gauges
Power drills
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Filter masks
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Thermocouples
Metal cutting taps
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Electric drain augers
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Two way radios
Metal cutting dies
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Ratchets
Voltmeters
Hydrometers
Personal computers
Socket wrench sets
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Digital multimeters
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Statistical software
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Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Microsoft Office
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Microsoft Word
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