Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator Salary
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators earn a median $78,620 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What stationary engineers and boiler operators 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.1% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 3,200
Employment of stationary engineers and boiler operators is projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,466
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,874
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,140
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$64,139
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,590 | $24.32 | $42,829 |
| 25th percentile | $63,160 | $30.37 | $52,929 |
| Median (50th) | $78,620 | $37.80 | $64,139 |
| 75th percentile | $101,150 | $48.63 | $79,989 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,390 | $60.28 | $96,970 |
Best cities for stationary engineers and boiler operators (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $104,810 | $77,420 | $68,780 | 3,810 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $104,810
Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $115,780 | +3.2% | $84,695 | $72,270 – $125,260 | 1,680 |
| Wyoming | $111,920 | +1.4% | $87,566 | $62,940 – $116,180 | 100 |
| Hawaii | $103,400 | +3.2% | $75,244 | $57,720 – $112,660 | 70 |
| Connecticut | $94,870 | +4.9% | $71,928 | $67,520 – $109,680 | 270 |
| New York | $94,070 | +2.5% | $70,498 | $61,290 – $151,730 | 4,480 |
| Washington | $91,530 | +2.6% | $73,221 | $67,220 – $128,250 | 520 |
| California | $90,650 | +15.5% | $67,223 | $48,610 – $132,730 | 5,840 |
| District of Columbia | $90,470 | +1.5% | $67,754 | $62,710 – $108,600 | 620 |
| Alaska | $88,330 | +1.5% | $70,970 | $61,140 – $117,740 | 90 |
| Maryland | $85,240 | +2.7% | $65,111 | $57,190 – $107,890 | 850 |
| Michigan | $82,800 | +5.7% | $63,812 | $54,510 – $92,630 | 490 |
| Colorado | $81,310 | +10.0% | $63,162 | $46,670 – $99,550 | 560 |
| Massachusetts | $80,800 | +5.1% | $61,853 | $64,540 – $100,710 | 530 |
| Nevada | $79,110 | +3.2% | $64,484 | $76,510 – $129,400 | 60 |
| Montana | $77,690 | +15.7% | $60,456 | $50,410 – $108,210 | 110 |
| Delaware | $77,630 | −0.8% | $59,660 | $71,700 – $89,920 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $76,560 | +2.6% | $60,003 | $54,170 – $106,490 | 1,400 |
| Utah | $76,490 | +10.1% | $60,165 | $65,270 – $114,600 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $75,850 | +3.1% | $58,556 | $61,620 – $98,610 | 1,440 |
| Ohio | $75,470 | +4.7% | $60,630 | $59,130 – $87,890 | 760 |
| Arizona | $75,410 | +3.6% | $60,204 | $57,440 – $124,490 | 80 |
| New Mexico | $74,480 | +51.6% | $58,892 | $39,520 – $116,160 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,900 | +5.2% | $57,877 | $48,140 – $89,000 | 1,730 |
| South Carolina | $72,650 | +22.2% | $56,737 | $53,330 – $89,240 | 170 |
| Missouri | $72,620 | +14.3% | $57,442 | $49,920 – $85,070 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $72,470 | +33.6% | $59,813 | $34,360 – $93,500 | 370 |
| Georgia | $70,640 | +4.0% | $55,482 | $53,290 – $92,310 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $68,450 | +3.9% | $54,450 | $45,330 – $95,830 | 180 |
| Vermont | $68,400 | +25.5% | $54,895 | $44,620 – $77,870 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $68,090 | +3.2% | $56,731 | $43,310 – $75,770 | 90 |
| Oregon | $67,630 | +3.5% | $51,320 | $47,780 – $100,220 | 330 |
| Indiana | $67,560 | −2.9% | $54,395 | $48,730 – $94,080 | 290 |
| Iowa | $67,450 | +3.2% | $54,370 | $49,760 – $76,380 | 190 |
| Kentucky | $66,770 | +0.2% | $53,583 | $28,890 – $88,900 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $66,760 | +6.4% | $55,753 | $48,270 – $108,460 | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $66,180 | −8.5% | $55,356 | $53,490 – $85,280 | 60 |
| Florida | $65,040 | −6.1% | $54,440 | $46,930 – $83,080 | 170 |
| Nebraska | $64,930 | +2.0% | $52,276 | $46,470 – $86,400 | 290 |
| Kansas | $64,490 | +3.3% | $51,199 | $50,230 – $90,730 | 120 |
| Idaho | $64,460 | +3.3% | $51,666 | $53,950 – $80,870 | 120 |
| Virginia | $64,150 | −1.3% | $50,850 | $36,510 – $94,640 | 350 |
| Texas | $63,810 | −0.4% | $53,451 | $48,250 – $90,190 | 890 |
| Rhode Island | $63,330 | +1.1% | $51,308 | $53,280 – $86,740 | 60 |
| Maine | $62,910 | +2.6% | $49,663 | $49,360 – $78,880 | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $61,170 | −1.4% | $49,420 | $51,040 – $78,120 | 270 |
| North Carolina | $60,860 | +4.4% | $49,161 | $37,050 – $79,450 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $58,000 | +3.2% | $46,734 | $43,800 – $72,320 | 200 |
| Mississippi | $53,640 | +3.2% | $43,866 | $42,440 – $78,390 | 200 |
| Alabama | $53,470 | +12.7% | $42,735 | $38,160 – $78,560 | 220 |
| West Virginia | $53,340 | — | $43,370 | $49,120 – $56,420 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $47,750 | +3.4% | $39,501 | $39,710 – $87,560 | 290 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Plant and System Operator | $78,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.2% |
| Gas Plant Operator | $87,820 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.0% |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,470 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.3% |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,710 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.9% |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $60,020 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.7% |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.1% |
| Power Distributor and Dispatcher | $106,730 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.2% |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $122,890 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.9% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers | $74,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.8% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $68,120 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a stationary engineer and boiler operator make?
The national median salary for stationary engineers and boiler operators is $78,620 a year ($37.80 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,590 and the top 10% earn over $125,390. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays stationary engineers and boiler operators the most?
Illinois has the highest median pay at $115,780. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many stationary engineers and boiler operators are there in the U.S.?
About 28,250 people work as stationary engineers and boiler operators nationwide.