Biomass Plant Technicians
Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
Also called: Auxiliary Operator · Central Heating Plant Operator · Fuel Handler · Fuel Quality Technician (Fuel Quality Tech) · Heating Plant Operator · Operations Technician (Operations Tech)
Median pay (national)
$99,670
$59,930–$128,760 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
30,720
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-11.2%
~2,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for biomass plant technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $128,760 versus $59,930 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $99,670 leaves roughly 29% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -11.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $124,050, +24% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $63,270 — a 96% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this 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 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.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Distributed control system DCS
- Energy analysis software
- Inventory control software
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics