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
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is a professional role within the function in the Production job family.
Typical entry preparation: Post-Secondary Certificate and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
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 MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceCritical 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
$98,000
Hospitals
5,620 workers
$93,000
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
5,030 workers
$94,500
Educational Services
4,390 workers
$82,000
Hospitals, Privately Owned
4,210 workers
$90,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
3,140 workers
$112,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
2,670 workers
$84,000
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,910 workers
$84,500
Accommodation
1,810 workers
$65,000
Traveler Accommodation
1,810 workers
$65,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
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.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Non-exempt · Service, trades, or production work
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay under FLSA rules. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
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).
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.
Need Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
