Biomass Plant Technicians

Overview

Biomass Plant Technicians has a national median salary of $102,040 per year, with -5.1% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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

Work Values

• Support
• Working Conditions
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.

Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Detailed Work Activities

• Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished an associate's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Associate's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

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