Also called: Boiler Operator, Power House Operator
Runs and maintains the boilers, chillers and steam systems that power and heat factories, hospitals and campuses.
In the boiler room, you check pressure gauges and water levels on giant boilers making steam for a whole plant or university. You log readings, tune burners, and fix pumps and valves. Many states require a license because a mistake could be dangerous.
Big-city union engineers earn toward the top.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Apprenticeship, about 3 years after high school. High-school diploma plus apprenticeship or on-the-job training; state or city license required in many places.
Ways in: Apprenticeship, On-the-job training, Certification, Military. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Stationary Engineering (apprenticeship), HVAC/Power Plant Technology.
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years). BLS projects little change.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Building automation and remote monitoring reduce rounds, but licensed operators still run and repair boilers.
Classes: Physics, Chemistry, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-8021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.