What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in the U.S. earn more than $78,620 a year — the middle 80% land between $50,590 and $125,390. About 28,250 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$78,620typical pay / year
28,250people in this work
$125,390+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Move4
Operate auxiliary equipment as needed
+Run auxiliary pumps, fans and feed systems as needed during the shift, monitor pressures and temperatures,…
Operate auxiliary equipment as needed
+Run auxiliary pumps, fans and feed systems as needed during the shift, monitor pressures and temperatures, switch in standby units when setpoints drift, and note actions and readings in the shift log before handing over to Jordan at 07:00.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemComputerized maintenance management system CMMSESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Perform routine maintenance on machinery
+Perform the scheduled lubrication, belt tension, and alignment checks on the feedwater pump and economizer,…
Perform routine maintenance on machinery
+Perform the scheduled lubrication, belt tension, and alignment checks on the feedwater pump and economizer, replace worn seals found, record torque and oil samples, and create a maintenance work order if vibration exceeds limits.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Perform routine inspections
+Walk the boiler room and inspect burner assembly, flues, gauges, safety interlocks and piping for leaks, soot…
Perform routine inspections
+Walk the boiler room and inspect burner assembly, flues, gauges, safety interlocks and piping for leaks, soot or corrosion, take combustion readings, photograph any defects, and file the inspection report before the daily operations meeting.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemComputerized maintenance management system CMMSESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Check safety devices routinely
+Verify operation of low-water cutoffs, pressure relief valves, flame detectors and emergency shutdowns on the…
Check safety devices routinely
+Verify operation of low-water cutoffs, pressure relief valves, flame detectors and emergency shutdowns on the morning check, test each device per procedure, log pass/fail results, and tag any device that fails out of service.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Fixing1
Troubleshoot mechanical issues
+Diagnose the noisy pump and rising vibration by isolating the unit, performing shaft alignment, checking…
Troubleshoot mechanical issues
+Diagnose the noisy pump and rising vibration by isolating the unit, performing shaft alignment, checking bearing temperatures and oil analysis, swap in a spare coupling if needed, and raise a priority repair order if performance does not return to spec.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSOperational Data Store ODSjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work15
Assist in the installation of new machinery
+Assist the mechanical team with installing the new economizer by lifting and aligning the feedwater headers,…
Assist in the installation of new machinery
+Assist the mechanical team with installing the new economizer by lifting and aligning the feedwater headers, verify flange faces mate without gaps, hand-tighten bolts in the prescribed star pattern, then log torque readings and safety checks before I sign off.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NETWikipedia
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Adjust controls to maintain proper operation
+Adjust the combustion air and fuel valve settings to bring flue gas oxygen to target 3.5% and steam pressure…
Adjust controls to maintain proper operation
+Adjust the combustion air and fuel valve settings to bring flue gas oxygen to target 3.5% and steam pressure to 12 bar, monitor gauges for 30 minutes and record the trend; if pressure drifts more than 0.2 bar, notify the shift engineer.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
+Collect boiler water samples from the blowdown and feed tanks, run the conductivity and pH tests, if hardness…
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
+Collect boiler water samples from the blowdown and feed tanks, run the conductivity and pH tests, if hardness or chloride exceed the limits add the measured dose of anti-scalant and corrosion inhibitor, then enter results and chemical charges into the log.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NET
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Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
+Isolate the electrical panel, verify lockout tagout, measure voltages at the starter and terminal block with…
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
+Isolate the electrical panel, verify lockout tagout, measure voltages at the starter and terminal block with the voltmeter, record L1-L2-L3 readings and phase imbalance; if any phase is below 400 volts or imbalance exceeds 5% escalate to the electrical tech.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NET
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Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
+Weigh incoming coal deliveries, measure moisture and calorific value from the sample, reconcile measured fuel…
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
+Weigh incoming coal deliveries, measure moisture and calorific value from the sample, reconcile measured fuel mass to the delivery ticket and the daily fuel consumption sheet, then file the reconciliation and flag any variance over 2% to procurement.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
+Light the pilot and ignite the main burners using the approved lighting sequence, confirm stable flame…
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
+Light the pilot and ignite the main burners using the approved lighting sequence, confirm stable flame pattern on all burners, monitor flame detectors and stack temperature for five minutes, and log the ignition time and any irregularities.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemO*NET
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Perform tests to ensure quality
+Run the full boiler water and combustion quality test sequence on Boiler A3, log pressure, temperature, pH…
Perform tests to ensure quality
+Run the full boiler water and combustion quality test sequence on Boiler A3, log pressure, temperature, pH and oxygen readings, compare against yesterday’s baseline, flag any out-of-tolerance values to Maintenance and attach the stamped test sheet before noon.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSBuilding management systemESCO
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Use testing equipment
+Calibrate and run the flue gas analyzer and conductivity meter on Boiler A3, record three consecutive…
Use testing equipment
+Calibrate and run the flue gas analyzer and conductivity meter on Boiler A3, record three consecutive readings for each instrument, note instrument serial numbers and calibration stickers, and raise a ticket to replace any sensor that failed repeatability.
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Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
+Check the air quality of ventilation in Boiler Room B, run the particulate and CO2 tests at intake and…
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
+Check the air quality of ventilation in Boiler Room B, run the particulate and CO2 tests at intake and exhaust, adjust dampers and makeup air until readings meet the site safety thresholds, and file the compliance sheet by 4pm today.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemO*NET
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Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
+Assist the plumbing crew at West Tunnel with replacing the corroded sewer run: shut down the adjacent boiler…
Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
+Assist the plumbing crew at West Tunnel with replacing the corroded sewer run: shut down the adjacent boiler feedwater line, hold pressure on the isolation valve while they cut and fit the new section, then verify no leaks and restart the feed slowly with me watching gauges.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NET
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Investigate and report on accidents.
+Investigate the steam leak accident in Boiler 3, photograph the failed joint, interview the two operators on…
Investigate and report on accidents.
+Investigate the steam leak accident in Boiler 3, photograph the failed joint, interview the two operators on duty, test the pressure relief settings, compile a timeline of events and submit the incident report to safety by noon tomorrow.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Maintain logs of equipment operation
+Update the daily operation log for the night shift: record burner runtimes, feedwater temperatures, safety…
Maintain logs of equipment operation
+Update the daily operation log for the night shift: record burner runtimes, feedwater temperatures, safety valve hits and any manual adjustments, then save the log and notify maintenance of deviations over the allowable limits.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSOperational Data Store ODSjob descriptions
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Fire coal furnaces or feed boilers using gas or oil
+Fire the Unit 2 coal furnace at 0600, set the fuel feed to the standard ramp, monitor flame stability and…
Fire coal furnaces or feed boilers using gas or oil
+Fire the Unit 2 coal furnace at 0600, set the fuel feed to the standard ramp, monitor flame stability and draft, adjust the gas pilot as needed, and confirm steady steam pressure before handing over to day shift at 0700.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemjob descriptions
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Record operational data and maintenance activities
+Record today’s operational data and maintenance activities for Boiler 1: log run hours, fuel consumption,…
Record operational data and maintenance activities
+Record today’s operational data and maintenance activities for Boiler 1: log run hours, fuel consumption, filter replacements and valve adjustments, attach meter screenshots, and submit the daily maintenance record before leaving at shift end.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Operational data store
+Update the operational data store with this morning's boiler pressures, stack temperatures, water make-up…
Operational data store
+Update the operational data store with this morning's boiler pressures, stack temperatures, water make-up volumes and operator notes, note the one-hour low-pressure event and schedule maintenance with Tom before his next shift.
The tools that do the workOperational Data Store ODSO*NET
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses