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.
Fixing5
Operate auxiliary equipment as needed
+Start the feed water transfer pump and engage the condensate return when boiler pressure falls below 12 psi…
Operate auxiliary equipment as needed
+Start the feed water transfer pump and engage the condensate return when boiler pressure falls below 12 psi during tonight’s run, monitor temperatures and valve positions, adjust chemical feed if needed, and log the operation in the shift sheet.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Perform routine maintenance on machinery
+Perform the scheduled maintenance round on Boiler A4: drain and inspect the chemical feed pump, replace the…
Perform routine maintenance on machinery
+Perform the scheduled maintenance round on Boiler A4: drain and inspect the chemical feed pump, replace the worn gaskets on the dosing line, calibrate the inline conductivity probe, record readings and sign off before shift end Wednesday.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Perform routine inspections
+Do the routine inspection of the steam plant circuits today: walk Boiler B2 and B3, test pH and conductivity…
Perform routine inspections
+Do the routine inspection of the steam plant circuits today: walk Boiler B2 and B3, test pH and conductivity at feed and blowdown points, note any scale or leak evidence, log findings and flag any anomalies for Monday's mechanical team.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Check safety devices routinely
+Check all safety devices on boilers C1–C3 this morning: verify pressure relief valves lift at set pressure,…
Check safety devices routinely
+Check all safety devices on boilers C1–C3 this morning: verify pressure relief valves lift at set pressure, test low-water cutouts, inspect flame safeguard interlocks, document test results and tag any unit taken out of service.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Troubleshoot mechanical issues
+Troubleshoot the noisy feedwater pump on Boiler E5: isolate the pump, check coupling alignment, measure…
Troubleshoot mechanical issues
+Troubleshoot the noisy feedwater pump on Boiler E5: isolate the pump, check coupling alignment, measure vibration and bearing temperatures, replace the worn bearing if vibration exceeds limits, then run at no-load and log the repair.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Keeping the record1
Activate valves to change water, air, and fuel in boilers
+Change water, air and fuel flows on Boiler D1 for the seasonal shift: open the feedwater valve to slow fill,…
Activate valves to change water, air, and fuel in boilers
+Change water, air and fuel flows on Boiler D1 for the seasonal shift: open the feedwater valve to slow fill, vent the air header until purge criteria met, switch the fuel selector to natural gas position, confirm stable combustion and log the parameter changes.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work15
Perform tests to ensure quality
+Collect boiler water samples from header and condensate return, run pH, conductivity and boiler chemical…
Perform tests to ensure quality
+Collect boiler water samples from header and condensate return, run pH, conductivity and boiler chemical concentration tests, log results, compare to the treatment spec, adjust feed rates if out of range, and file the completed test record by 5pm today.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSESCO
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Use testing equipment
+Set up the conductivity meter and titration kit at the boiler blowdown valve, perform calibration checks, run…
Use testing equipment
+Set up the conductivity meter and titration kit at the boiler blowdown valve, perform calibration checks, run the prescribed titrations and conductivity readings, note any anomalies, replace reagents if needed, and attach the signed test sheet to the maintenance record before shift end.
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Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
+Check supply and exhaust duct air samples at the main AHU and rooftop vents, record CO, CO2 and particulates,…
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
+Check supply and exhaust duct air samples at the main AHU and rooftop vents, record CO, CO2 and particulates, adjust dampers and fan speeds to meet the building code limits, and re-sample before end of shift.
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 the north plant trench: shut down boiler feedwater to isolate the work area, hand…
Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
+Assist the plumbing crew at the north plant trench: shut down boiler feedwater to isolate the work area, hand tools and new copper piping to the plumbers, test joint tightness after installation, and restore feedwater once tests pass.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NET
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Investigate and report on accidents.
+Inspect the scene of the steam pipe failure, take photos, measure residual pressure and water chemistry,…
Investigate and report on accidents.
+Inspect the scene of the steam pipe failure, take photos, measure residual pressure and water chemistry, interview the shift operator, draft an incident report with cause, immediate fixes, and recommended prevention steps for maintenance management.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Maintain logs of equipment operation
+At each shift handover, review burner hours, feedwater temp, blowdown counts and treatment dosing, update the…
Maintain logs of equipment operation
+At each shift handover, review burner hours, feedwater temp, blowdown counts and treatment dosing, update the runtime log with readings and anomalies, and flag items needing supervisor follow-up.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Fire coal furnaces or feed boilers using gas or oil
+Stoke the coal feed and monitor flame pattern and flue temperature, adjust fuel valve and air register to…
Fire coal furnaces or feed boilers using gas or oil
+Stoke the coal feed and monitor flame pattern and flue temperature, adjust fuel valve and air register to maintain target steam pressure, and watch the combustion controls for any alarms during the burn cycle.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemjob descriptions
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Record operational data and maintenance activities
+After rounds, enter burner run times, chemical dosing volumes, valve adjustments and part replacements into…
Record operational data and maintenance activities
+After rounds, enter burner run times, chemical dosing volumes, valve adjustments and part replacements into the operations log, attach supporting meter reads and signatures, and mark completed maintenance tasks.
The tools that do the workOperational Data Store ODSWikipedia
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Assist in the installation of new machinery
+Help the maintenance crew fit the new feedwater deaerator and dosing skid today: confirm pipe and electrical…
Assist in the installation of new machinery
+Help the maintenance crew fit the new feedwater deaerator and dosing skid today: confirm pipe and electrical clearances, list missing fittings and gaskets, schedule a follow-up hydraulic leak test with Alan on Tuesday, and log parts to the maintenance record.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NETWikipedia
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Adjust controls to maintain proper operation
+Tune the combustion control and circulation pump setpoints to stabilize stack temperature at 180°C: record…
Adjust controls to maintain proper operation
+Tune the combustion control and circulation pump setpoints to stabilize stack temperature at 180°C: record current PID values, adjust the air damper and feed valve in small increments until soot alarm clears, then note the changes in the shift log and notify the control room.
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 hotwell and drum, run alkalinity, conductivity and hardness tests now,…
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 hotwell and drum, run alkalinity, conductivity and hardness tests now, add phosphate and neutralizing amine to bring pH to 9.0 if needed, record results on the chemistry sheet and retest in four hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
+Isolate the panel, measure phase-to-phase and phase-to-neutral voltages at the control transformer with the…
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
+Isolate the panel, measure phase-to-phase and phase-to-neutral voltages at the control transformer with the meter, compare readings to nameplate values, report any deviation over 10% to electrical maintenance and attach the voltage printout to the asset file.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system CMMSO*NET
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Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
+Weigh the delivered fuel sacks at the yard scales, measure volume drawn into the day bunker, record fuel type…
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
+Weigh the delivered fuel sacks at the yard scales, measure volume drawn into the day bunker, record fuel type and mass on the fuel consumption log, and forward the weekly totals to procurement by Friday for inventory reconciliation.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
+Light the pilot and main burners after pre-purge using the approved ignition procedure: verify gas pressure,…
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
+Light the pilot and main burners after pre-purge using the approved ignition procedure: verify gas pressure, confirm flame scanner signal, hold ramp-up until stable flame for two minutes, then document ignition time and any anomalies in the logbook.
The tools that do the workBuilding management systemO*NET
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Operational data store
+Record today's blowdown chemistry, feedwater hardness, dosing rates and visual inspection comments in the…
Operational data store
+Record today's blowdown chemistry, feedwater hardness, dosing rates and visual inspection comments in the operational data store, flag the phosphate program deviation, and assign corrective action to Lena by end of shift.
The tools that do the workOperational Data Store ODSO*NET
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses