Will “Boiler Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Boiler 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 “Boiler Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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