Will “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators” 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

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators”

Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
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.
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.
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
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.
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
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.
Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Investigate and report on accidents.
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
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.
Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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