Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

What They 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 One: 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.

Salary: The median annual wage for stationary engineers and boiler operators is $63,500.

Job Outlook: Employment of stationary engineers and boiler operators is projected to grow 4 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of stationary engineers and boiler operators with similar occupations.

Following is everything you need to know about a career as a stationary engineer with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:

Top 3 Stationary Engineer Jobs

• Stationary Engineer - Mondelez International - Chicago, IL

  The Stationary Engineer will ensure the efficient, safe, and reliable operation of boilers, air compressors, ammonia chillers, HVAC equipment, wastewater treatment equipment, and high-speed ...

• Industrial Refrigeration Technician - Kraft Heinz - Avon, NY

  **Utilities Technician** ( Stationary Engineer /HVAC Mechanic/ Ammonia Refrigeration Technician) The Kraft Heinz Company is currently seeking a Utilities Technician to work at our processing facility in ...

• Boiler Operator - Perdue Farms - Salisbury, MD

  ... Stationary Engineer Level 1 LicenseExperience RequirementsBoiler operator 1 - 4 yearsBoiler Operator Certification preferredValid driver's licenseEnvironmental Factors and Physical RequirementsAble ...

See all Stationary Engineer jobs

Top 3 Boiler Operator Jobs

• Boiler Operator Maintenance Worker III - Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute - Albuquerque, NM

  Under direct supervision, the Boiler Operator Maintenance Worker III will be responsible for performing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and repairing central plant equipment. This includes ...

• Boiler Operator - Perdue Farms - Salisbury, MD

  SummaryPerdue AgriBusiness hasan exciting opportunity for a Boiler Operatorat our facilitylocated ... Operator Certification preferredValid driver's licenseEnvironmental Factors and Physical ...

• 3rd Engineer Boiler Technician - Artisan Chef Manufacturing Co - Lawrence, MA

  BASIC FUNCTIONS|The Third Engineer ( Boiler Operator ) is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and management of the vessel s or facility's boilers and associated systems. This role ensures that ...

See all Boiler Operator jobs

What Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Do[About this section] [To Top]

Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes.

Duties of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

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 activity

Most 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 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators[About this section] [To Top]

Stationary engineers and boiler operators hold about 32,500 jobs. The largest employers of stationary engineers and boiler operators are as follows:

Educational services; state, local, and private	19%
Manufacturing	17%
Hospitals; state, local, and private	16%
Local government, excluding education and hospitals	10%
State government, excluding education and hospitals	7%

In 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 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Stationary engineers and boiler operators have a higher rate of injuries and illnesses than the national average. They must follow procedures to guard against burns, electric shock, noise, dangerous moving parts, and exposure to hazardous materials.

Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator 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[About this section] [To Top]

Get the education you need: Find schools for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators near you!

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 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

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.

Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator 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 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

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 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

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 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

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.

Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]

The median annual wage for stationary engineers and boiler operators is $63,500. 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 $44,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,690.

The median annual wages for stationary engineers and boiler operators in the top industries in which they work are as follows:

Local government, excluding education and hospitals	$97,570
Hospitals; state, local, and private	$74,300
State government, excluding education and hospitals	$72,890
Educational services; state, local, and private	$61,080
Manufacturing	$60,910

Most 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 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators[About this section] [To Top]

Employment of stationary engineers and boiler operators is projected to grow 4 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 4,200 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 of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

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, 2021-31

Occupational Title	Employment, 2021	Projected Employment, 2031	Change, 2021-31
			Percent	Numeric
Stationary engineers and boiler operators	32,500	33,800	4	1,300

Careers Related to Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators[About this section] [To Top]

Boilermakers

Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.

General Maintenance and Repair Workers

General maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems, among other tasks.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.

Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights

Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.

Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.

Water Transportation Workers

Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country's many inland waterways.

More Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator Information[About this section] [To Top]

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 agencies

Information 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.