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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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