### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			stationary engineers and boiler operators imageStationary engineers and boiler operators manage utility or industrial equipment such as boilers, stationary engines, and generators.							
						Quick Facts:     Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators2023     Median Pay
            						$67,640     per year
										$32.52     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    33,500Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    3% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,000What Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Do
                                                
                        
                        
Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
The majority of stationary engineers and boiler operators work in manufacturing, government, educational services, and hospitals. Those who work in facilities that operate around the clock often work evenings and weekends. Shift work also is common.
            
                                                How to Become a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator
                                                
                        
Stationary engineers and boiler operators need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and are trained either on the job or through an apprenticeship program. Many employers require stationary engineers and boiler operators to demonstrate competency through licenses or company-specific exams before they are allowed to operate equipment without supervision.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for stationary engineers and boiler operators was $67,640 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of stationary engineers and boiler operators is projected to grow							 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 3,600 openings for stationary engineers and boiler operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for stationary engineers and boiler operators.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of stationary engineers and boiler operators with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about stationary engineers and boiler operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Do 
            

			Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsStationary engineers and boiler operators repair malfunctioning equipment.			
Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes.
Duties
Stationary engineers and boiler operators typically do the following:
Operate engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment
Read gauges, meters, and charts to track boiler operations
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels
Activate valves to change the amount of water, air, and fuel in boilers
Fire coal furnaces or feed boilers, using gas feeds or oil pumps
Inspect equipment to ensure that it is operating efficiently
Check safety devices routinely
Record data and keep logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activityMost large commercial facilities have extensive heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems that maintain comfortable temperatures all year long. Industrial plants often have additional facilities to provide electrical power, steam, or other services. Stationary engineers and boiler operators control and maintain boilers, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, turbines, generators, pumps, and compressors.
Stationary engineers and boiler operators start up, regulate, repair, and shut down equipment. They monitor meters, gauges, and computerized controls to ensure that equipment operates safely and within established limits. They use sophisticated electrical and electronic test equipment to service, troubleshoot, repair, and monitor heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
Stationary engineers and boiler operators also perform routine maintenance. They may completely overhaul or replace defective valves, gaskets, or bearings. In addition, they lubricate moving parts, replace filters, and remove soot and corrosion that can make a boiler less efficient.
 Work Environment
			Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsStationary engineers and boiler operators typically work in boiler rooms and mechanical rooms.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Stationary engineers and boiler operators held about 33,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of stationary engineers and boiler operators were as follows:
        Educational services; state, local, and private
                17%Hospitals; state, local, and private
                16Manufacturing
                16Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                11Traveler accommodation
                9In a large building or industrial plant, a senior stationary engineer or boiler operator may be in charge of all mechanical systems in the building and may supervise a team of assistant stationary engineers, assistant boiler tenders, and other operators or mechanics.
In small buildings, there may be only one stationary engineer or boiler operator who operates and maintains all of the systems.
Some stationary engineers and boiler operators are exposed to high temperatures, dust, dirt, and loud noise from the equipment. Maintenance duties may require contact with oil, grease, and smoke.
Workers spend much of their time on their feet. They also may have to crawl inside boilers and work while crouched, or kneel to inspect, clean, or repair equipment.
Injuries and Illnesses
Stationary engineers and boiler operators risk injury on the job. They must follow procedures to guard against burns, electric shock, noise, dangerous moving parts, and exposure to hazardous materials.
Work Schedules
Most stationary engineers and boiler operators work full time during regular business hours. In facilities that operate around the clock, engineers and operators may work either one of three 8-hour shifts or one of two 12-hour shifts on a rotating basis. Because buildings such as hospitals are open 365 days a year and depend on the steam generated by boilers and other machines, many of these workers must work weekends and holidays.
 How to Become a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator

			Stationary engineers and boiler operatorsStationary engineers and boiler operators continue training throughout their career.			
Stationary engineers and boiler operators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and are trained either on the job or through an apprenticeship program. Many employers require stationary engineers and boiler operators to demonstrate competency through licenses or company-specific exams before they are allowed to operate equipment without supervision.
Education
Stationary engineers and boiler operators need at least a high school diploma. Students should take courses in math, science, and mechanical and technical subjects.
With the growing complexity of the work, vocational school or college courses may benefit workers trying to advance in the occupation.
Training
Stationary engineers and boiler operators typically learn their work through long-term on-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced engineer or operator. Trainees are assigned basic tasks, such as monitoring the temperatures and pressures in the heating and cooling systems and low-pressure boilers. After they demonstrate competence in basic tasks, trainees move on to more complicated tasks, such as the repair of cracks or ruptured tubes for high-pressure boilers.
Some stationary engineers and boiler operators complete apprenticeship programs sponsored by the International Union of Operating Engineers. Apprenticeships usually last 4 years, include 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, and require 600 hours of technical instruction. Apprentices learn about operating and maintaining equipment; using controls and balancing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; safety; electricity; and air quality. Employers may prefer to hire these workers because they usually require considerably less on-the-job training. However, because of the limited number of apprenticeship programs, employers often have difficulty finding workers who have completed one.
Experienced stationary engineers and boiler operators update their skills regularly through training, especially when new equipment is introduced or when regulations change.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some state and local governments require licensure for stationary engineers and boiler operators. These governments typically have several classes of stationary engineer and boiler operator licenses. Each class specifies the type and size of equipment the engineer is permitted to operate without supervision. Many employers require stationary engineers and boiler operators to demonstrate competency through licenses or company-specific exams before they are allowed to operate the equipment without supervision.
A top-level engineer or operator is qualified to run a large facility, supervise others, and operate equipment of all types and capacities. Engineers and operators with licenses below this level are limited in the types or capacities of equipment they may operate without supervision.
Applicants for licensure usually must meet experience requirements and pass a written exam. In some cases, employers may require that workers be licensed before starting the job. A stationary engineer or boiler operator who moves from one state or city to another may have to pass an examination for a new license because of regional differences in licensing requirements.
Advancement
Generally, stationary engineers and boiler operators can advance as they become qualified to operate larger, more powerful, and more varied equipment by obtaining higher class licenses. In jurisdictions where licenses are not required, workers usually advance by taking company-administered exams, ensuring a level of knowledge needed to operate different types of boilers safely.
Important Qualities
***Detail oriented.*** Stationary engineers and boiler operators monitor intricate machinery, gauges, and meters to ensure that everything is operating properly.
***Dexterity.*** Stationary engineers and boiler operators must use precise motions to control or repair machines. They grasp tools and use their hands to perform many tasks.
***Mechanical skills.*** Stationary engineers and boiler operators must know how to use tools and work with machines. They must be able to repair, maintain, and operate equipment.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Stationary engineers and boiler operators must figure out how things work and quickly solve problems that arise with equipment or controls.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsMedian annual wages, May 2023Stationary engineers and boiler operators$67,640  Plant and system operators$67,100  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for stationary engineers and boiler operators was $67,640 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,660.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for stationary engineers and boiler operators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $99,630Hospitals; state, local, and private
                77,850Manufacturing
                63,790Educational services; state, local, and private
                62,050Traveler accommodation
                46,030Most stationary engineers and boiler operators work full time. In facilities that operate around the clock, engineers and operators may work either one of three 8-hour shifts or one of two 12-hour shifts on a rotating basis. Because buildings such as hospitals are open 365 days a year and depend on the steam generated by boilers and other machines, many of these workers must work weekends and holidays.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Stationary Engineers and Boiler OperatorsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Stationary engineers and boiler operators3%  Plant and system operators-5%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of stationary engineers and boiler operators is projected to grow				 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 3,600 openings for stationary engineers and boiler operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Steam is an important and cost-effective way to fuel machinery and to provide utilities in large facilities. Workers will be needed for routine maintenance and to ensure that the equipment is working properly.
			

                        Employment projections data for     stationary engineers and boiler operators, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Stationary engineers and boiler operators**
			51-8021
			33,500
			34,400
			3
			1,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Stationary engineers and boiler operators **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of stationary engineers and boiler operators. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**General Maintenance and Repair Workers**
            General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $46,700**Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers**
            Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,300**Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights**
            Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,170**Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers**
            Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $100,890**Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators**
            Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $54,890**Boilermakers**
            Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $71,140**Water Transportation Workers**
            Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water.
            See How to Become One
            $64,930
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about apprenticeships, vocational training, and job opportunities, visit
State employment service offices
Local chapters of the International Union of Operating Engineers
Vocational schools
State and local licensing agenciesInformation about apprenticeships is also available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s toll-free help line, (877) 872-5627; or the Employment and Training Administration.
For more information about training or becoming a stationary engineer or boiler operator, visit
National Association of Power Engineers, Inc.

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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