Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Stationary engineers and boiler operators work in a specialized technical role with a solid nationwide presence and clear entry path. With national employment of 33,000 and projected growth of 2.2%, this career represents a stable option for people interested in mechanical systems and technical problem solving. The national median annual salary of $75,190 reflects the value of this skilled work. The role draws on mechanical knowledge, science, computers and information technology, and strong problem solving and decision making. It also benefits from detail orientation, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina, making it well suited to people who like hands-on technical work. Leadership and project management skills also play a part, opening doors to more responsibility over time. For those exploring alternatives, related paths include power plant operators, gas plant operators, gas compressor and gas pumping station operators, plant and system operators (all other), and control and valve installers and repairers (except mechanical door).
Stationary engineers and boiler operators earn a national median salary of $75,190, indicating solid earning potential for a career that typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states, median salaries range from $80,800 in Massachusetts to $94,070 in New York, with California and Washington also above $90,000. At the metro level, some areas show even higher earning potential. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area has a median salary of $129,930, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA offers $123,170 and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ pays $104,810. These figures highlight the importance of geographic choice for maximizing earnings. Even in metros with lower medians among the top group, such as Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $83,950, salaries still exceed the national median for many occupations, making this role financially appealing for technically inclined workers.
This occupation shows a measured but positive employment outlook. With 33,000 people employed nationally and projected growth of 2.2%, stationary engineers and boiler operators are expected to see modest expansion rather than rapid change. The 4,000 annual openings indicate a consistent flow of opportunities, which can come from a mix of new positions and the need to replace workers who move to other roles or retire. The uniform growth rate of 2.2% listed across highlighted states and metro areas suggests relatively steady demand in a range of regions, from large states like California and New York to more moderate-employment states such as Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington. For job seekers, this combination of stable national employment, ongoing annual openings, and consistent projected growth can support both initial entry into the field and longer-term career planning, especially for those prepared to build strong technical and problem-solving skills.
Location choices can significantly shape opportunities for stationary engineers and boiler operators. At the state level, California stands out with 5,840 employed workers, a median salary of $90,650, and the highest opportunity score among states listed at 67.38. New York combines a high median salary of $94,070 with substantial employment of 4,480 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington also offer strong options, with median salaries from $80,800 to $91,530 and opportunity scores between 56.29 and 65.87. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both have very high opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27) and six-figure median salaries. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA combines a high opportunity score of 68.75 with the highest listed metro median salary of $129,930. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH round out the leading metros with strong salaries and mid-60s opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for stationary engineers and boiler operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this a skilled technical path that does not require a college degree to begin. However, success in the role depends on a robust skills profile. Mechanical skills and science knowledge form a core technical foundation, supported by competence with computers and information technology. The work rewards people who are detail oriented and have strong problem solving and decision making abilities. Physical strength and stamina, along with fine motor skills, are also important, reflecting the hands-on nature of the occupation. Leadership and project management skills can help workers coordinate tasks, guide others, and handle more complex responsibilities over time. Creativity and innovation round out the profile, supporting continuous improvement and new approaches. Together, these skills provide multiple avenues for professional growth, even with a relatively accessible formal education requirement.
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