All careers › Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Stationary engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $50,590lowest 10% earn less
- $63,16025th percentile
- $78,620median
- $101,15075th percentile
- $125,390top 10% earn more
Stationary engineers and boiler operators earned a median of $78,620 a year, well above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Entry needs a high school diploma plus long-term training on the job[3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +3.1%[5]
- Openings per year
- 3,200[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[3]
How much do stationary engineers make?
The median pay for stationary engineers and boiler operators was $78,620 a year, or $37.80 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $83,960 a year, or $40.37 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[2].
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $50,590 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $63,160[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $101,150, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $125,390[4]. Hourly, those four boundaries were $24.32, $30.37, $48.63 and $60.28[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentiles rather than a starting salary[9].
The data cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefit costs or bonuses outside regular production pay[10]. About 28,250 people held wage jobs in this group[11].
Pay by state and city
Illinois had the highest median wage at $115,780, followed by Wyoming at $111,920 and Hawaii at $103,400[12]. Louisiana had the lowest median among the places listed, at $47,750[12].
California had the most jobs at 5,840, then New York at 4,480[13]. Pennsylvania (1,730), Illinois (1,680) and Minnesota (1,440) followed[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median at $129,930[14]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($123,170) and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ($115,780) were also near the top[14]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the most jobs at 3,810, with a median of $104,810[15].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois[12] | $115,780 | 1,680 |
| Wyoming | $111,920 | 100 |
| Hawaii | $103,400 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $94,870 | 270 |
| New York | $94,070 | 4,480 |
| Washington | $91,530 | 520 |
| California | $90,650 | 5,840 |
| District of Columbia | $90,470 | 620 |
| Alaska | $88,330 | 90 |
| Maryland | $85,240 | 850 |
| Michigan | $82,800 | 490 |
| Colorado | $81,310 | 560 |
| Massachusetts | $80,800 | 530 |
| Nevada | $79,110 | 60 |
| Montana | $77,690 | 110 |
| Delaware | $77,630 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $76,560 | 1,400 |
| Utah | $76,490 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $75,850 | 1,440 |
| Ohio | $75,470 | 760 |
| Arizona | $75,410 | 80 |
| New Mexico | $74,480 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,900 | 1,730 |
| South Carolina | $72,650 | 170 |
| Missouri | $72,620 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $72,470 | 370 |
| Georgia | $70,640 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $68,450 | 180 |
| Vermont | $68,400 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $68,090 | 90 |
| Oregon | $67,630 | 330 |
| Indiana | $67,560 | 290 |
| Iowa | $67,450 | 190 |
| Kentucky | $66,770 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $66,760 | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $66,180 | 60 |
| Florida | $65,040 | 170 |
| Nebraska | $64,930 | 290 |
| Kansas | $64,490 | 120 |
| Idaho | $64,460 | 120 |
| Virginia | $64,150 | 350 |
| Texas | $63,810 | 890 |
| Rhode Island | $63,330 | 60 |
| Maine | $62,910 | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $61,170 | 270 |
| North Carolina | $60,860 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $58,000 | 200 |
| Mississippi | $53,640 | 200 |
| Alabama | $53,470 | 220 |
| West Virginia | $53,340 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $47,750 | 290 |
How to become a stationary engineer
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no work experience needed and long-term on-the-job training[3].
- First: finish high school. Courses in math, science and mechanical or technical subjects are a good fit[16].
- Next: learn on the job under an experienced engineer or operator. Trainees start with basic tasks, such as watching temperatures and pressures in heating and cooling systems and low-pressure boilers[17]. They move to harder work, such as repairing high-pressure boilers, once they show they can handle the basics[17].
- Or: join an apprenticeship. These usually last 4 years and include 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 600 hours of technical instruction[18]. Employers may prefer apprenticeship graduates, but there are few programs, so employers often struggle to find them[18].
- Then: pass a license or employer exam where one is required[19].
Some state and local governments require licenses, often in several classes. Each class sets the type and size of equipment the holder may run without supervision[19]. Applicants usually need experience and a written exam[20]. Moving to another state or city may mean taking a new exam[20]. Many employers also require workers to show competency through licenses or company-specific exams before running equipment unsupervised[19].
Vocational school or college courses may help workers who want to advance as the work gets more complex[21]. In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 47% said a post-secondary certificate was required, 38% said a high school diploma or equivalent, and 11% said an associate degree[22].
What stationary engineers do
O*NET says these workers run or maintain engines, boilers and other mechanical equipment that supply utilities to buildings or industrial processes[23]. Tasks include:
- Running boilers and auxiliary equipment such as pumps and compressors to supply steam or heat[24].
- Adjusting valves to control water, combustion air and fuel[24].
- Reading gauges, meters and charts to check that equipment is working properly[24].
- Testing boiler water quality and taking corrective action[24].
- Keeping daily logs of operation, maintenance and safety work[24].
- Switching to manual controls to allow safe inspection and repair[24].
- Doing or arranging repairs such as replacing worn valves, gaskets or bearings[24].
Workers report titles such as boiler operator, operating engineer and plant utilities engineer[25]. Attention to detail and dexterity are important qualities[26][27].
Where they work
Hospitals are listed among the largest employers, with 18% of these workers[28]. In a large building or plant, a senior engineer may oversee all mechanical systems and supervise a team. In a small building, one person may run every system[29][30].
The work can involve heat, dust, dirt and loud noise, as well as oil, grease and smoke[31]. Workers spend much of their time on their feet and may crawl inside boilers or kneel to inspect equipment[32]. Injury risks include burns, electric shock and hazardous materials[33].
Most work full time during regular business hours. At facilities that run around the clock, shifts rotate, and weekend and holiday work is common[34].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,200 to 32,200 jobs[5]. That count includes self-employed workers, so it differs from the wage-job count in the pay data[5][11]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[35].
About 3,200 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.5% of workers leave the labor force and 6.2% move to a different occupation[36].
Is it a good fit?
The pay is well above the all-occupations median, at $78,620 against $50,980[1][2]. The entry bar is a high school diploma, but the learning is long, through long-term training on the job or an apprenticeship of about 4 years[3][18]. Licenses may be required in some places[19]. Growth is projected at 3.1%, a little under the 3.5% for all occupations, with steady openings[5][35][6]. The job involves physical work and, at some facilities, rotating shifts and weekends[32][34].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a stationary engineer make an hour?
- The median was $37.80 an hour and the average was $40.37 in May 2025[1][7].
- How long does it take to become a stationary engineer?
- Typical training is long-term on the job[3]. Apprenticeships usually last 4 years[18].
- What education do you need to be a stationary engineer?
- A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education[3].
- Is stationary engineer in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, with about 3,200 openings a year[5][6].
- What is the highest paying state for stationary engineers?
- Illinois had the highest median wage at $115,780[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in the US was $78,620 per year and $37.80 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: 10th percentile $50,590, 25th percentile $63,160, 75th percentile $101,150, 90th percentile $125,390. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,200 to 32,200 jobs (a change of +1,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 3,200 openings for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators was $83,960 per year and $40.37 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: 10th percentile $24.32, 25th percentile $30.37, 75th percentile $48.63, 90th percentile $60.28. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 28,250 people were employed as Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators jobs: California 5,840; New York 4,480; Pennsylvania 1,730; Illinois 1,680; Minnesota 1,440. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $129,930; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $123,170; Vallejo, CA $123,170; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $115,780; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $112,250; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $104,810; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $99,840; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $94,870. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,810 (median $104,810); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,980 (median $74,420); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,210 (median $115,780); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 980 (median $129,930); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 970 (median $91,480); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 750 (median $76,560). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 51-8021.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 47%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 38%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 51-8021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Auxiliary Operator, Boiler Operator, Boiler Technician (Boiler Tech), Operating Engineer, Operator, Plant Utilities Engineer, Recovery Boiler Operator, Stationary Engineer. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of stationary engineers and boiler operators in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 18%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.