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Career Exploration

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Also called: Boiler Operator, Operating Engineer, Stationary Engineer, Utilities Operator

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
  • 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.
  • Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • product and service development

Math and Science

  • chemistry
  • physics

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Independence
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Facilities management software

  • Building management system software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $67,120

Education

Certificate after high school or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.