Also called: Boiler Operator, Operating Engineer
Runs boilers, chillers, and heating plants for hospitals, universities, and factories.
You monitor a central steam plant that heats an entire campus, test safety valves, and keep the chillers running on the hottest days.
Apprenticeship, about 4 years after high school. Apprenticeship and state boiler license.
Ways in: Apprenticeship, On-the-job training, Trade school. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Stationary Engineering (apprenticeship).
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years).
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Building automation systems run more of the plant, cutting some shifts; licensed engineers still maintain and fix boilers.
Classes: Physics, Chemistry, HVAC CTE class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-8021.
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