Will “Steam Engineer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Steam 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 “Steam Engineer”

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

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

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