Biomass Plant Technicians

ManufacturingO*NET 51-8013.03United States

Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $102,045
Projected change: −4.8%
Typical education: High school diploma or less
Employment: 31.86K jobs

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What biomass plant technicians do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

Operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.
Perform tests of water chemistry in boilers.
Operate high-pressure steam boiler or water chiller equipment for electrical cogeneration operations.
Operate equipment to heat biomass, using knowledge of controls, combustion, and firing mechanisms.
Operate equipment to start, stop, or regulate biomass-fueled generators, generator units, boilers, engines, or auxiliary systems.
Inspect biomass power plant or processing equipment, recording or reporting damage and mechanical problems.
Record or report operational data, such as readings on meters, instruments, and gauges.
Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust production of biofuels or biomass-fueled power.
Calculate, measure, load, or mix biomass feedstock for power generation.
Clean work areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Perform routine maintenance or make minor repairs to mechanical, electrical, or electronic equipment in biomass plants.
Measure and monitor raw biomass feedstock, including wood, waste, or refuse materials.
Calibrate liquid flow devices or meters, including fuel, chemical, and water meters.
Assess quality of biomass feedstock.
Read and interpret instruction manuals or technical drawings related to biomass-fueled power or biofuels production equipment or processes.
Operate heavy equipment, such as bulldozers and front-end loaders.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $61,797
25th percentile: $79,685
50th percentile: $102,045
75th percentile: $119,080
90th percentile: $131,955

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $102,045 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−4.8%projected to decline

202531,859 jobs

2035 projected30,344 jobs

1,515 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less: 53.1%
Certificate: 21.9%
Bachelor's degree: 9.7%
Some college: 9.5%
Associate degree: 5.8%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

Top employers

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