# Biomass Plant Technicians

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biomass-plant-technicians
- SOC code: 51-8013.03
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $102,040 (10th percentile $61,790, 90th percentile $131,940)
- Projected growth: Decline, -5.1%
- Openings a year: 2,300
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Power plant operators".

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 35 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 4 |
| Enterprising (E) | 13 |
| Conventional (C) | 64 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 83/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 81/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 81/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 77/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 76/100)
- Getting Information (importance 75/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 75/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 70/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Equipment Maintenance

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Chemistry, English Language, Production and Processing, Engineering and Technology, Education and Training, Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Public Safety and Security, Administration and Management

## Also called

Auxiliary Operator, Biomass Boiler Operator, Biomass Plant Operator, Biomass Plant Technician, Central Heating Plant Operator, Centrifugal Chiller Technician, Chiller Operator, Chiller Technician, Fuel Handler, Fuel Quality Technician (Fuel Quality Tech)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1517) (CIP 1517, 224 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $77,109 | $88,670 | $16,469 |
| [Illinois State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/illinois-state-university-1264) | Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians | $58,625 | $76,731 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Biomass Power Plant Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biomass-power-plant-managers): $126,060 median pay
- [Biofuels Processing Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biofuels-processing-technicians): $62,470 median pay
- [Power Plant Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/power-plant-operators): $102,040 median pay
- [Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators): $78,620 median pay
- [Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/water-and-wastewater-treatment-plant-and-system-operators): $60,020 median pay
- [Gas Plant Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/gas-plant-operators): $87,820 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.