A dual-stage compressor for use with a fuel cell, said dual-stage compressor comprising: a low pressure side comprising: a low pressure compressor wheel supported by a shaft and configured to rotate about an axis of the shaft; a low pressure seal carrier configured to rotate with the low pressure compressor wheel; a static low pressure seal plate disposed around a periphery of a portion of the low pressure seal carrier; and at least one low pressure sealing ring; a high pressure side comprising: a high pressure compressor wheel supported by the shaft and configured to rotate about the axis of the shaft; a high pressure seal carrier configured to rotate with the high pressure compressor wheel; a static high pressure seal plate disposed around a periphery of a portion of the high pressure seal carrier; and at least one high pressure sealing ring, wherein the low pressure seal carrier defines at least one seal groove configured to receive the low pressure sealing ring, the low pressure sealing ring being configured to seal against a contact surface of the static low pressure seal plate when received in the groove in order to create a pressure differential seal for the low pressure side, and wherein the high pressure seal carrier defines at least one seal groove configured to receive the high pressure sealing ring, the high pressure sealing ring being configured to seal against a contact surface of the static high pressure seal plate when received in the groove in order to create a pressure differential seal for the high pressure side, and wherein the static high pressure seal plate includes a stepped section on the contact surface thereof, wherein the stepped section is configured to limit axial travel of the high pressure sealing ring. a low pressure side comprising: a low pressure compressor wheel supported by a shaft and configured to rotate about an axis of the shaft; a low pressure seal carrier configured to rotate with the low pressure compressor wheel; a static low pressure seal plate disposed around a periphery of a portion of the low pressure seal carrier; and at least one low pressure sealing ring; a low pressure compressor wheel supported by a shaft and configured to rotate about an axis of the shaft; a low pressure seal carrier configured to rotate with the low pressure compressor wheel; a static low pressure seal plate disposed around a periphery of a portion of the low pressure seal carrier; and at least one low pressure sealing ring; a high pressure side comprising: a high pressure compressor wheel supported by the shaft and configured to rotate about the axis of the shaft; a high pressure seal carrier configured to rotate with the high pressure compressor wheel; a static high pressure seal plate disposed around a periphery of a portion of the high pressure seal carrier; and at least one high pressure sealing ring, a high pressure compressor wheel supported by the shaft and configured to rotate about the axis of the shaft; a high pressure seal carrier configured to rotate with the high pressure compressor wheel; a static high pressure seal plate disposed around a periphery of a portion of the high pressure seal carrier; and at least one high pressure sealing ring, wherein the low pressure seal carrier defines at least one seal groove configured to receive the low pressure sealing ring, the low pressure sealing ring being configured to seal against a contact surface of the static low pressure seal plate when received in the groove in order to create a pressure differential seal for the low pressure side, and wherein the high pressure seal carrier defines at least one seal groove configured to receive the high pressure sealing ring, the high pressure sealing ring being configured to seal against a contact surface of the static high pressure seal plate when received in the groove in order to create a pressure differential seal for the high pressure side, and wherein the static high pressure seal plate includes a stepped section on the contact surface thereof, wherein the stepped section is configured to limit axial travel of the high pressure sealing ring.