DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
51-8021 Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Occupational 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.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Southwest Minnesota | 130 | 32 | $29.01/hr | $0.46/hr | $24.09/hr | $26.28/hr | $28.61/hr | $30.97/hr | $36.50/hr |
| Minnesota | 1,520 | 99 | $30.76/hr | $0.40/hr | $23.41/hr | $26.81/hr | $30.46/hr | $35.49/hr | $38.89/hr |
| U S | 32,520 | 715 | $32.18/hr | $0.32/hr | $19.05/hr | $24.42/hr | $30.32/hr | $38.52/hr | $48.82/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2022 - 2032 | |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 350 | $21.94/hr | 2.0% |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 240 | $19.04/hr | 4.0% |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 190 | $19.04/hr | 0.0% |
| Power Plant Operators | 130 | $42.08/hr | -9.5% |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 60 | $26.00/hr | N/A |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | 40 | $18.93/hr | 6.0% |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | N/A | N/A | 16.7% |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | N/A | N/A | 0.0% |
| Mechanical Door Repairers | N/A | $19.01/hr | 7.2% |
| Gas Plant Operators | N/A | N/A | -12.5% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tasks for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Tends boilers and equipment to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or operation of pneumatic tools.
- Shovels coal or coke into firebox to feed fuel, using hand tools.
- Tests sample quality to ensure sample meets specifications, using testing devices.
- Obtains samples from designated location on boiler and carries samples to testing laboratory.
- Records test results on specified form and gives to worker or supervisor.
- Cleans and maintains heating and steam boilers and equipment, using hand tools.
- Installs burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
- Moves controls and observes gauges to regulate heat and steam.
- Ignites fuel in burner using torch or flame.
- Adjusts controls and valves on equipment to provide power and regulate and set operations of system and industrial processes.
- Lubricates, maintains, and repairs equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
- Tests electrical system to determine voltage, using voltage meter.
- Adds chemicals or tends equipment to maintain temperature of fluids or atmosphere or to prevent scale buildup.
- Cleans equipment, using airhose, brushes, and rags, and drains water from pipes and air reservoir.
- Records temperature, pressure, water levels, fuel consumption, and other data at specified intervals in logbook.
- Reads dials of temperature, pressure, and ampere gauges and meters to detect malfunctions and ensure specified operation of equipment.
- Inspects equipment to determine need for repair, lubrication, or adjustment.
- Lights burners and opens valves on equipment, such as condensers, pumps, and compressors, to prepare system for operation.
