Stationary engineers and boiler operators
SOC Code: 51-8021
Stationary engineers and boiler operators carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $75,190 and +2.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 33,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Stationary engineers and boiler operators (SOC 51-8021) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 33,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.2% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $75,190, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Stationary engineers and boiler operators. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. 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.
- 2. 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.
- 3. Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
- 4. Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
- 5. Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
- 6. Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
- 7. Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
- 8. Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
- 9. Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
- 10. Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
Key Skills Required
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Chemistry
- Public Safety and Security
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Building and Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Stationary engineers and boiler operators?
Stationary engineers and boiler operators has an AI exposure score of 29%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Stationary engineers and boiler operators?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Stationary engineers and boiler operators is projected to grow by 2.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 33,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Stationary engineers and boiler operators?
Key skills for Stationary engineers and boiler operators include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Stationary engineers and boiler operators earn?
The median annual wage for Stationary engineers and boiler operators is $75,190, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Stationary engineers and boiler operators?
The typical entry-level education for Stationary engineers and boiler operators is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Stationary engineers and boiler operators?
Stationary engineers and boiler operators roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).