The median pay for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is $78,620 a year ($37.80/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.1% through 2035, with about 3,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-8021
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $78,620a year, or $37.80/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $51KTop 10% $125K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.1%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,20031,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202531.2K
- Projected 203532.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 31.2K Projected 2035 32.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school37.8%
- Certificate47.2%
- Some college4.5%
- Associate's10.5%
Highest education held by stationary engineers and boiler operators Segment Value High school 37.8% Certificate 47.2% Some college 4.5% Associate's 10.5%
Also advertised as: Auxiliary Operator, Boiler Operator, Boiler Technician (Boiler Tech), Operating Engineer, Operator, Plant Utilities Engineer.
Pay
How much do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators make?
Every stationary engineer and boiler operator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$78,620
Middle half earn $63,160 to $101,150
- 10th
- $50,590
- 25th
- $63,160
- 75th
- $101,150
- 90th
- $125,390
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,590 |
| 25th | $63,160 |
| Median | $78,620 |
| 75th | $101,150 |
| 90th | $125,390 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $78,620
- Median hourly wage
- $37.80/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $83,960
- People employed
- 28,250
Versus all US occupations
At $78,620, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators earn 54% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $27,640 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 64% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $125,390 or more while the bottom 10% earn $50,590, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 56% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Illinois posts the highest raw median ($115,780), but once local prices are taken into account Wyoming leads at $120,745 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Illinois | $115,780 | $115,829 | 1,680 |
| 2Wyoming | $111,920 | $120,745 | 100 |
| 3Hawaii | $103,400 | $94,042 | 70 |
| 4Connecticut | $94,870 | $91,565 | 270 |
| 5New York | $94,070 | $87,166 | 4,480 |
| 6Washington | $91,530 | $85,532 | 520 |
| 7California | $90,650 | $81,873 | 5,840 |
| 8District of Columbia | $90,470 | $82,320 | 620 |
| 9Alaska | $88,330 | $86,294 | 90 |
| 10Maryland | $85,240 | $81,213 | 850 |
Job outlook
Is Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | +3.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators to change 3.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,200 openings are projected each year, 10.3% of the 31,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Steam is an important and cost-effective way to fuel machinery and to provide utilities in large facilities. Stationary engineers and boiler operators will continue to be needed for routine maintenance and to ensure that the equipment is working properly.
Getting in
How to become a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator
Stationary engineers and boiler operators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and are trained either on the job or through an apprenticeship program. Many employers require stationary engineers and boiler operators to demonstrate competency through licenses or company-specific exams before they are allowed to operate equipment without supervision.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as stationary engineers and boiler operators.
- Post-Secondary Certificate47.2%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)37.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10.5%
- Some College Courses4.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 47.2% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 37.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 10.5% |
| Some College Courses | 4.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator do?
Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes.
Day-to-day tasks
- Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
- Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
- Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
- Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
- Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
- Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
- Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
- Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most stationary engineers and boiler operators work full time during regular business hours. In facilities that operate around the clock, engineers and operators may work either one of three 8-hour shifts or one of two 12-hour shifts on a rotating basis. Because buildings such as hospitals are open 365 days a year and depend on the steam generated by boilers and other machines, many of these workers must work weekends and holidays.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where stationary engineers and boiler operators work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private18%
- Educational services; state, local, and private16%
- Manufacturing16%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals11%
- Traveler accommodation6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 18% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 16% |
| Manufacturing | 16% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 11% |
| Traveler accommodation | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Writing2.9
- Science2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
| Science | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Operation and Control3.4
- Equipment Maintenance3.3
- Troubleshooting3.3
- Repairing3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.4 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.3 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.3 |
| Repairing | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Facilities management software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.4
- Investigative3.2
- Enterprising1.2
- Social1.1
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator
O*NET related occupations
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with stationary engineers and boiler operators highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator$78,620
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator | $78,620 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator appears on
Questions
Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator: frequently asked questions
How much do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators make?
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators earn a median of $78,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 54% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $37.80/hr. The middle half earn between $63,160 and $101,150. The top 10% earn $125,390 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 47.2% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.1% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator do?
Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes. A core O*NET task: analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators the most?
The highest state medians for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators are Illinois ($115,780), Wyoming ($111,920), Hawaii ($103,400) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Wyoming moves to the top at $120,745.
What personality type suits a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator?
O*NET scores Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.