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How exposed to AI is a Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operator?

Of the 25 tasks O*NET lists for stationary engineers and boiler operators, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 20 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Auxiliary OperatorBoiler OperatorBoiler Technician (Boiler Tech)Operating EngineerOperatorPlant Utilities EngineerRecovery Boiler OperatorStationary EngineerStationary Steam EngineerUtilities Operator
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
25
tasks rated for this occupation
0%
hold a degree, from a survey of 20
30k
people do this job in the US
28 of 107
least protected in production

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

5
  • Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems
  • Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work
  • Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development
  • Weigh, measure, and record fuel used
  • Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations

Cannot be sped up

20
  • 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
  • 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
  • Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels
  • Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly
  • Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits
  • 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
  • Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes
  • Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work
  • Investigate and report on accidents
  • Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools
  • Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts
  • Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes
  • Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools
  • Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems
  • Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps
  • Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames
  • Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics
  • Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair
  • Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters
  • Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.