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Boiler technician vs boiler plant operator

The differences between boiler technicians and boiler plant operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a boiler technician and a boiler plant operator. Additionally, a boiler plant operator has an average salary of $46,119, which is higher than the $45,568 average annual salary of a boiler technician.

The top three skills for a boiler technician include steam boilers, HVAC and hand tools. The most important skills for a boiler plant operator are plant equipment, boiler water, and auxiliary equipment.

Boiler technician vs boiler plant operator overview

Boiler TechnicianBoiler Plant Operator
Yearly salary$45,568$46,119
Hourly rate$21.91$22.17
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs6,75336,427
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

Boiler technician vs boiler plant operator salary

Boiler technicians and boiler plant operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Boiler TechnicianBoiler Plant Operator
Average salary$45,568$46,119
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $66,000Between $32,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City-Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Gillette
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between boiler technician and boiler plant operator education

There are a few differences between a boiler technician and a boiler plant operator in terms of educational background:

Boiler TechnicianBoiler Plant Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorEngineeringEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common college--

Boiler technician vs boiler plant operator demographics

Here are the differences between boiler technicians' and boiler plant operators' demographics:

Boiler TechnicianBoiler Plant Operator
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 96.4% Female, 3.6%Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 8.2% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between boiler technician and boiler plant operator duties and responsibilities

Boiler technician example responsibilities.

  • Wire panels, install conduit, replace fixtures and some PLC experience.
  • Help the HVAC install roof top units and replace fans, motors, compressors.
  • Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on blowers, pumps, valves, and compressors.
  • Experience in the planned repair of water tube boilers, feed pumps, and forced-draft blowers.
  • Do fabrications on other plant equipment such as evaporators, hot breaks, conveyers and condensers.
  • Serve as a part-time technician performing various plumbing duties such as installation and repair of sewer drain lines and water lines.
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Boiler plant operator example responsibilities.

  • 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.
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Boiler technician vs boiler plant operator skills

Common boiler technician skills
  • Steam Boilers, 13%
  • HVAC, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Mechanical Systems, 5%
  • Plumbing, 5%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 5%
Common boiler plant operator skills
  • Plant Equipment, 11%
  • Boiler Water, 10%
  • Auxiliary Equipment, 10%
  • Water Pumps, 8%
  • Fuel Oil, 7%
  • HVAC, 6%

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