Occupational Employment Statistics
51-8013 Power Plant Operators
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Excludes “Nuclear Power Reactor Operators" (51-8011).
Southeast Minnesota
| 60 | 13 | $46.96/hr | $38.03/hr | $41.74/hr | $50.42/hr | $54.44/hr | $54.44/hr |
Natural Resources and Mining | N/A | N/A |
Trade, Transportation and Utilities | 520 | $51.41/hr |
Public Administration | N/A | $41.22/hr |
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
| 1,480 | $32.25/hr | 4.4% |
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
| 1,690 | $23.67/hr | 4.5% |
Chemical Plant and System Operators
| 260 | $30.90/hr | 3.7% |
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gagers
| 580 | $52.38/hr | N/A |
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
| 190 | $36.30/hr | N/A |
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
| 1,810 | $24.23/hr | -1.0% |
- Operate high-pressure steam boiler or water chiller equipment for electrical cogeneration operations.
- Clean work areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Operate equipment to heat biomass, using knowledge of controls, combustion, and firing mechanisms.
- Record or report operational data, such as readings on meters, instruments, and gauges.
- Perform tests of water chemistry in boilers.
- Operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.