Will “Power Plant Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Power 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 “Power Plant Operator”

Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
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.
Investigate and report on accidents.
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
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.
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.
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
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.
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.
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
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

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

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