Currently a steam boiler runs at up to the gauge max of 30 psi. is this too high? so should it be running at 15 -20psi or lower?

30 psi sounds high for a conventional boiler. What is your relief valve set for? What is the operating pressure?

what is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) on your boiler there should be a data plate located somewhere on the boiler. There the info you need..

WOW, you need to back down there bud. A home heating steam boiler needs to be no higher than 2 psi MAX. The lower the pressure the better. The MAWP is not even close to the actual operating range of a home heating boiler. By raising the pressure to that height you are probably going to need to replace all of your radiator vents as they are probably broken.

Crank it down on the pressuretrol. Your relief should have lifted at 15lbs, or are you just reading the pressure gauage on your boiler and think its going to 30lbs?