SOC 518021

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

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.

National Median

$75,190

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$75,190

Entry Level (10th pct)

$47,310

Experienced (90th pct)

$121,200

Total Employed

30,780

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$47,310 - $60,110
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$60,110 - $96,420
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$96,420 - $121,200

Highest Paying Locations for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$124,120

+65.1% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$119,310

+58.7% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$119,310

+58.7% vs national

South Illinois nonmetropolitan area

$117,770

+56.6% vs national

West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area

$116,610

+55.1% vs national

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$124,120	1,290
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$119,310	330
Vallejo, CA	$119,310	110
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$117,770	70
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$116,610	60
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$114,090	60
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$112,230	1,170
Illinois	$112,230	1,670
Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$110,390	70
Wyoming	$110,380	120
Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$107,970	50
New Haven, CT	$104,610	40
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$103,880	3,490
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$103,540	290
Modesto, CA	$101,980	60
Hawaii	$100,200	90
Urban Honolulu, HI	$100,110	60
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$92,950	90
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$91,800	610
New York	$91,790	4,350
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$90,420	100
Connecticut	$90,420	230
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$89,500	40
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$89,190	830
Washington	$89,170	630
District of Columbia	$89,160	410
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$89,120	60
Anchorage, AK	$87,010	60
Alaska	$87,010	140
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$85,550	90
Ann Arbor, MI	$84,810	50
Fresno, CA	$83,260	150
Maryland	$82,960	1,170
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$82,960	90
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$82,580	200
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$82,320	580
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$81,900	N/A
El Centro, CA	$81,480	40
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$80,530	130
Lexington Park, MD	$80,110	70
Kansas City, MO-KS	$79,800	60
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$79,660	350
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$79,570	100
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$79,220	310
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$79,200	60
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$78,710	120
California	$78,490	7,800
Michigan	$78,370	500
Delaware	$78,280	50
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$78,080	100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators?

The national median annual salary for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is $75,190, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operatorss is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median salary of $124,120.

How much can an experienced Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators make?

Top-earning Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operatorss (90th percentile) make $121,200 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.