Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, California
$94,000 / year
≈ $7,850 per month · $45.19 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for California · median $94,000
25th percentile
$64,000Average
$94,00075th percentile
$124,500
$64,000Average
$94,00075th percentile
$124,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary by state
Alabama$59,500
Alaska$94,000
Arizona$85,500
Arkansas$59,500
California$94,000
Colorado$81,000
Connecticut$95,000
Delaware$82,500
District of Columbia$92,500
Florida$69,000
Georgia$73,000
Hawaii$98,000
Idaho$69,000
Illinois$110,000
Indiana$72,500
Iowa$69,500
Kansas$69,000
Kentucky$65,000
Louisiana$60,000
Maine$67,000
Maryland$89,000
Massachusetts$85,500
Michigan$80,500
Minnesota$80,500
Mississippi$61,000
Missouri$71,500
Montana$79,500
Nebraska$69,500
Nevada$91,500
New Hampshire$71,000
New Jersey$80,000
New Mexico$80,000
New York$104,500
North Carolina$61,500
North Dakota$76,500
Ohio$76,500
Oklahoma$75,000
Oregon$74,500
Pennsylvania$73,500
Rhode Island$71,500
South Carolina$74,500
South Dakota$66,500
Tennessee$67,500
Texas$69,000
Utah$81,000
Vermont$68,000
Virginia$67,000
Washington$98,500
West Virginia$55,000
Wisconsin$64,500
Wyoming$106,000
About this role
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is a professional role within the function in the Production job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operatorss do
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate
- 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.
- Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
- Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
- 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.
Top skills: Operations Monitoring Operation and Control Troubleshooting Repairing Equipment Maintenance Critical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pay by experience level
Entry level$52,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$65,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$81,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$104,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$130,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+2.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
3,800
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
5,910 workers
$98,000Hospitals
5,620 workers
$93,000General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
5,030 workers
$94,500Educational Services
4,390 workers
$82,000Hospitals, Privately Owned
4,210 workers
$90,000Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
3,140 workers
$112,500Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
2,670 workers
$84,000State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,910 workers
$84,500Accommodation
1,810 workers
$65,000Traveler Accommodation
1,810 workers
$65,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pays 55% above the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
Similar-paying roles in Production
Careers related to Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators make?
The average base salary for a Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in the United States is $87,000 per year, or about $41.83 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $65,500 and $104,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Production roles?
The Production job family averages $56,000 across 112 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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