How much does a stationary engineer and boiler operator make?
The median stationary engineer and boiler operator in the United States earns $75,190 per year, about $36.15 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all stationary engineers and boiler operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-8021.
Stationary engineer and boiler operator salary range
Pay for stationary engineers and boiler operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,310 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $121,200. The average (mean) wage of $79,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,310 | $22.75 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,110 | $28.90 | |
| Median (50th) | $75,190 | $36.15 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $96,420 | $46.36 | |
| 90th percentile | $121,200 | $58.27 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for stationary engineers and boiler operators (SOC 51-8021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Stationary engineer and boiler operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Stationary engineers and boiler operators earn the most in Illinois at $112,230 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $46,170. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $112,230 | 1,670 |
| Wyoming | $110,380 | 120 |
| Hawaii | $100,200 | 90 |
| New York | $91,790 | 4,350 |
| Connecticut | $90,420 | 230 |
| Washington | $89,170 | 630 |
| District of Columbia | $89,160 | 410 |
| Alaska | $87,010 | 140 |
| Maryland | $82,960 | 1,170 |
| California | $78,490 | 7,800 |
| Michigan | $78,370 | 500 |
| Delaware | $78,280 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $76,850 | 580 |
| Nevada | $76,630 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $74,620 | 1,130 |
| Colorado | $73,900 | 550 |
| Minnesota | $73,560 | 1,540 |
| Arizona | $72,820 | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $72,360 | 60 |
| Ohio | $72,070 | 640 |
| Indiana | $69,580 | 340 |
| Utah | $69,450 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,290 | 1,670 |
| Florida | $69,250 | 210 |
| Georgia | $67,930 | 230 |
| Montana | $67,130 | 120 |
| Kentucky | $66,630 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $66,000 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $65,900 | 200 |
| Iowa | $65,380 | 190 |
| Oregon | $65,340 | 440 |
| Virginia | $64,970 | 340 |
| Texas | $64,050 | 930 |
| Nebraska | $63,680 | 280 |
| Missouri | $63,560 | 400 |
| North Dakota | $62,760 | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $62,650 | 80 |
| Kansas | $62,460 | 130 |
| Idaho | $62,430 | 150 |
| Wisconsin | $62,010 | 180 |
| Maine | $61,300 | 300 |
| South Carolina | $59,450 | 260 |
| North Carolina | $58,280 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $56,180 | 250 |
| Vermont | $54,490 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $54,250 | 430 |
| Mississippi | $51,960 | 210 |
| New Mexico | $49,140 | 50 |
| Alabama | $47,460 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $46,170 | 290 |
State median wages for stationary engineers and boiler operators (SOC 51-8021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for stationary engineers and boiler operators
The BLS projects employment of stationary engineers and boiler operators to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,200 openings a year for stationary engineers and boiler operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a stationary engineer and boiler operator
The typical entry-level education for stationary engineers and boiler operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a stationary engineer and boiler operator earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $112,230) and the lowest (Louisiana, $46,170) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 30,780 people work as stationary engineers and boiler operators in the United States. At $75,190 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Stationary engineer and boiler operator salary FAQ
How much does a stationary engineer and boiler operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a stationary engineer and boiler operator is $36.15. The middle half of stationary engineers and boiler operators earn between $28.90 and $46.36 per hour.
What is the highest stationary engineer and boiler operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of stationary engineers and boiler operators earn more than $121,200 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a stationary engineer and boiler operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a stationary engineer and boiler operator is $75,190. The average (mean) wage of $79,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a stationary engineer and boiler operator a well paid job?
At $75,190 a year, a stationary engineer and boiler operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 30,780 people work as stationary engineers and boiler operators in the United States.
Which state pays stationary engineers and boiler operators the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for stationary engineers and boiler operators at $112,230 a year. Wyoming ($110,380) and Hawaii ($100,200) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a stationary engineer and boiler operator a good career?
Employment of stationary engineers and boiler operators is projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a stationary engineer and boiler operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for stationary engineers and boiler operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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