Steam turbine operator
Also known as: steam turbine safety operator, steam turbine monitoring operator, turbine hall worker, steam-electric power operator, steam turbine generator operator, steam generator operator
About this occupation
Steam turbine operators operate and maintain machinery which generates power. They ensure the safety of the operations and monitor operations to detect problems, and react to emergency situations.
A specialisation of power production plant operator.
Essential skills and knowledge
- use testing equipment
- adjust cylinder valves
- types of steam engines
- thermodynamics
- conduct routine machinery checks
- identify hazards in the workplace
- mechanics
- operate steam turbine
- use personal protection equipment
- ensure compliance with environmental legislation
- monitor valves
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Nuclear Power Reactor Operators (O*NET 51-8011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
- Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.
- Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
- Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
- Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment.
- Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring
US median pay: US$122,890 a year (2025), 5,150 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (4.1)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.9)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.6)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.4)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Nuclear Technicians
- Power Plant Operators
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
- Chemical Plant and System Operators
- Gas Plant Operators
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.