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…
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Utilities Operator
- Stationary Steam Engineer
- Stationary Engineer
- Plant Utilities Engineer
- Operating Engineer
- Fireman
- Building Engineer
- Boiler Technician
- Boiler Operator
- Water Pumper
- Water Pump Operator
- Watch Engine Operator
- Ventilation Worker
- Turbo Operator
- Turbo Electric Operator
- Tank Farm Operator
- Steam Turbine Operator
- Steam Plant Operator
- Steam Engineer
- Steam Boiler Fireman
- Stationary Fireman
- Stationary Engineer Apprentice
- Stationary Boiler Fireman
- Retort Firer
- Refrigeration Engineer
- Refrigerating Engineer
- Pumping Station Engineer
- Pump House Operator
- Pump House Engineer
- Powerhouse Tender
- Powerhouse Operator
- Powerhouse Attendant
- Power Station Operator
- Power Plant Operator
- Power Operator
- Power House Engineer
- Plugman
- Plant Operator
- Operating Power Plant Combustion Engineer
- Marine Firer
- Low Pressure Firer
- Low Pressure Boiler Tender
- Low Pressure Boiler Operator
- Humidifier Attendant
- High Pressure Boiler Operator
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic Boiler Operator
- Heating Operators Engineer
- Heating and Ventilating Worker
- Gas Engine Operator
- Fan Runner
- Fan Engine Engineer
- Exhauster Engineer
- Exhaust Worker
- Engineman
- Dredge Pump Operator
- Diesel Stationary Engineer
- Diesel Engine Operator
- Cooling Tower Operator
- Cooling System Operator
- Compressor Operator
- Byproduct Engineer
- Breaker Engineer
- Boiler Room Operator
- Boiler Room Helper
- Boiler Plant Operator
- Boiler Operator Helper
- Boiler Fireman
- Blowing Engineer
- Auxiliary Operator
- Air Plant Engineer
- Air Conditioning Engineer
- Air Compressor Operator
- Air Compressor Engineer
Tasks for “Plant Operator”
- Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
- Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
- Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
- Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
- 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.
- Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
- Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
- Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
- Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
- Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
- Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
- Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
- Investigate and report on accidents.
- Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
- Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
- Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
- Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
- Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
- Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
- Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
- Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
- 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.
- 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.
- Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
- Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
Related Technology & Tools
- Oil guns
- Digital multimeters
- Turbidimeters
- Manifold test gauges
- Forklifts
- Safety glasses
- Scaffolding
- Precision levels
- Electronic temperature sensors
- Grease guns
- Protective ear plugs
- Phillips head screwdrivers
- Rotary hammers
- Metal cutting taps
- pH indicators
- Two way radios
- Tapping machines
- Claw hammers
- Safety gloves
- Grapple cranes
- Pneumatic pumps
- Voltmeters
- Bench lathes
- Socket wrench sets
- Ohmmeters
- Hand pipe threaders
- Filter masks
- Infrared guns
- Descalers
- Metal cutting dies
- Amp meters
- Oxyacetylene welding equipment
- Colorimeters
- Dial calipers
- Ratchets
- Pipe wrenches
- Electronic remote reading thermometers
- Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Ladders
- Bourdon tubes
- Sandblasters
- Hydraulic press frames
- Power drills
- Electric drain augers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Programmable logic controllers PLC
- Sling psychrometers
- Locking pliers
- Pressure gauges
- Conductivity meters
- Thermocouples
- Steam cleaning equipment
- Hydrometers
- Drill presses
- Straight screwdrivers
- Hydraulic boom trucks
- Combustion analyzers
- Graduated glass cylinders
- Dial indicators
- Shielded arc welding tools
- Layout squares
- Pressure transmitters
- Opacity meters
- Personal computers
- Equipment cleaning scrapers
- Power meters
- Gas brazing equipment
- Power saws
- Dropping pipettes
- Micrometers
- Industrial platform scales
- Pipe cutters
- Water column gauges
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Graphics software
- Statistical software
- Word processing software
- Database software
- Microsoft Excel
- Spreadsheet software
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Building management system software