What does a boiler plant operator do?
A boiler plant operator is primarily in charge of operating and monitoring boilers to ensure they function safely and efficiently. Their daily responsibilities often include starting and shutting down boilers, conducting safety and maintenance inspections, tracking the water levels and gauges, checking fuel supplies, and recording daily readings while adhering to the protocols and standards. There are also times when they must perform basic repairs and adjustments, control the pressure and chemical levels, inspect fluids, and produce regular progress reports for managers.
Boiler plant operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real boiler plant operator resumes:
- Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
- Install preventative maintenance programs and perform maintenance which include: electrical, plumbing, electronics etc.
- Conduct maintenance repair of plumbing systems throughout university.
- Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
- Attend shipboard firefighting school at NDCTC Philadelphia.
- Work in law enforcement, corrections, quality control and shipboard firefighting instructor while on shore duty.
- Operate a continuous recovery distillation process.
Boiler plant operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Boiler Plant Operators are proficient in Plant Equipment, Boiler Water, and Auxiliary Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Math skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Boiler Plant Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Plant Equipment, 11%
Monitor and inspect power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems, take corrective action as necessary.
- Boiler Water, 10%
Monitored boiler water and chemical fuel levels made adjustments to maintain required levels
- Auxiliary Equipment, 10%
Operated and maintained high pressure steam generating plant and all associated auxiliary equipment and machinery.
- Water Pumps, 8%
Assisted in putting feed water pumps on line.
- Fuel Oil, 7%
Performed troubleshooting, tuning, and servicing of natural gas, propane, and fuel oil burners and associated controls.
- HVAC, 6%
Operate boilers and other machinery associated to boiler operations, HVAC system Operation and other machinery associated to there operations.
Common skills that a boiler plant operator uses to do their job include "plant equipment," "boiler water," and "auxiliary equipment." You can find details on the most important boiler plant operator responsibilities below.
The three companies that hire the most boiler plant operators are:
- Valero Energy2 boiler plant operators jobs
- Chugach Alaska2 boiler plant operators jobs
- NANA2 boiler plant operators jobs
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Compare different boiler plant operators
Boiler plant operator vs. Shift engineer
A shift engineer conducts maintenance operations and ensures a company's engineering policies are upheld. They supervise a team, perform preventative maintenance, take orders, keep records, and control inventory. This position requires good communication skills, time management skills, and previous experience in the field.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a boiler plant operator are more likely to require skills like "boiler water," "auxiliary equipment," "fuel oil," and "strainers." On the other hand, a job as a shift engineer requires skills like "preventive maintenance," "general maintenance," "ladders," and "building maintenance." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Shift engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $94,852. In contrast, boiler plant operators make the biggest average salary, $55,593, in the health care industry.The education levels that shift engineers earn slightly differ from boiler plant operators. In particular, shift engineers are 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a boiler plant operator. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Boiler plant operator vs. Watch engineer
A watch engineer designs and develops equipment according to project concepts and requirements. Although their responsibilities vary upon their industry or company of employment, it typically includes conducting research and analyses to establish plans, produce prototypes, create and implement test structures, troubleshoot problems, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They may also oversee the performance of staff and provide technical support and guidance as needed. Moreover, as a watch engineer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members for efficient progress.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, boiler plant operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "boiler water," "auxiliary equipment," "operational maintenance," and "water systems." Meanwhile, a watch engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "preventive maintenance," "chillers," "architecture," and "mechanical equipment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Watch engineers earn similar levels of education than boiler plant operators in general. They're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Boiler plant operator vs. Steam engineer
Stationary Engineers are employees who are trained to operate machines and equipment. They mainly operate mechanical equipment, boilers, steam engines, and other stationary engines. They are also trained to conduct maintenance checks and basic repairs on such equipment. Stationary Engineers should be able to read gauges on the machines and assess the fuel levels. They are expected to monitor the machines and equipment and to track the operations. They are also expected to record and document the performance of the equipment. Sationary Engineers should know how to test the quality of the machines' outputs. This would help them manage the equipment.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, boiler plant operators are more likely to have skills like "plant equipment," "boiler water," "auxiliary equipment," and "fuel oil." But a steam engineer is more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "ventilation," "tag-out," and "reliable operation."
When it comes to education, steam engineers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to boiler plant operators. In fact, they're 5.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Boiler plant operator vs. Stationary engineer
Types of boiler plant operator
Updated January 8, 2025
