Will “Operating Engineer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Operating Engineer” 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 “Operating Engineer”

Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
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.
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
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.
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.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
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.
Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
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.
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
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.
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
Investigate and report on accidents.
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
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.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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