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.
Also called: Air Compressor Engineer, Air Compressor Operator, Air Conditioning Engineer (AC Engineer), Air Plant Engineer, Auxiliary Operator, Blowing Engineer
Median pay
$78,620
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$50,590 – $125,390
People employed
28,250
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary in every state →
What stationary engineers and boiler operators do
- 01Operate 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.
- 02Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
- 03Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
- 04Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
- 05Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
- 06Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Chemistry
- Public Safety and Security
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from stationary engineers and boiler operators
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door90% · −5%
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators88% · −2%
- Ship Engineers83% · +39%
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay83% · +31%
- Nuclear Technicians81% · +40%
Change into stationary engineers and boiler operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door90% · $74,340
- Geothermal Technicians88% · $49,230
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians87% · $64,120
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators86% · $77,320
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers86% · $61,010