Will “Plant Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“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 “Plant Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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