Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Machines can already do 26% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 26% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 28,250 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $78,620 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 76% for contact with people.
- Also called: Auxiliary Operator, Boiler Operator, Boiler Technician (Boiler Tech), Operating Engineer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 18% | 30% to 75% | |
| 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 | 11% | 30% to 75% | |
| Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts | 9% | 3% to 30% | |
| Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems | 8% | 3% to 30% | |
| Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly | 8% | 30% to 75% | |
| Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work | 8% | 70% to 95% | |
| Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels | 6% | 30% to 75% | |
| Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools | 5% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills stationary engineers and boiler operators use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,880
- Helpers--Extraction Workers55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,730
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $95,320
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $74,500
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of stationary engineers and boiler operators?
Machines can do 26% of the tasks of stationary engineers and boiler operators today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-8021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators/