Summary Report for:
51-8099.03 - Biomass Plant Technicians
Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Wages & Employment
Tasks
- Measure and monitor raw biomass feedstock, including wood, waste, or refuse materials.
- Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust production of biofuels or biomass-fueled power.
- Perform routine maintenance or make minor repairs to mechanical, electrical, or electronic equipment in biomass plants.
- Assess quality of biomass feedstock.
- Calculate, measure, load, or mix biomass feedstock for power generation.
- Calibrate liquid flow devices or meters, including fuel, chemical, and water meters.
- Inspect biomass power plant or processing equipment, recording or reporting damage and mechanical problems.
- Operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.
- 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.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Fire tube boilers — Biomass boilers; Bubbling fluidized bed boilers; Circulating fluidized bed boilers |
| Front end loaders — Wheeled front end loaders |
| Grinding mills — Grinders; Tub grinders |
| Intake structures — Biomass screeners; Disc screeners |
| Steam generators — Heat recovery steam generators |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Energy analysis software |
| Industrial control software — Distributed control systems DCS software |
| Inventory management software — Inventory control software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Plant and System Operators, All Other.
Employment data collected from Plant and System Operators, All Other.
Industry data collected from Plant and System Operators, All Other.
| Median wages (2010) | $24.99 hourly, $51,980 annual |
| Employment (2008) | 13,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2008-2018) | 
Decline slowly or moderately (-3% to -9%)
|
| Projected job openings (2008-2018) | 2,900 |
| Top industries (2008) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 wage data
and 2008-2018 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.