What You Need to Know About Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator
Job Description & Duties 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.
Life As a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator: What Do They Do?
- Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
- Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
- Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
- Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
- Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
- Investigate and report on accidents.
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What a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator Should Know
These are the skills Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Types of Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator
- Power Plant Operator
- Low Pressure Boiler Operator
- Powerhouse Operator
- Maintenance Technician
- Air Compressor Engineer
Job Demand for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
There were about 35,700 jobs for Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,800 new jobs for Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator by 2026. The BLS estimates 3,900 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator Salary
The typical yearly salary for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is somewhere between $36,550 and $96,660.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators who work in Illinois, California, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,500 |
| Alaska | $69,120 |
| Arizona | $53,470 |
| Arkansas | $46,780 |
| California | $84,160 |
| Colorado | $60,710 |
| Connecticut | $64,930 |
| Delaware | $63,430 |
| District of Columbia | $77,800 |
| Florida | $54,790 |
| Georgia | $58,540 |
| Idaho | $50,650 |
| Illinois | $81,650 |
| Indiana | $52,220 |
| Iowa | $55,100 |
| Kansas | $53,940 |
| Kentucky | $41,570 |
| Louisiana | $49,090 |
| Maine | $49,580 |
| Maryland | $61,830 |
| Massachusetts | $63,580 |
| Michigan | $63,060 |
| Minnesota | $59,870 |
| Mississippi | $48,070 |
| Missouri | $52,160 |
| Montana | $56,960 |
| Nebraska | $48,390 |
| New Hampshire | $60,970 |
| New Jersey | $58,990 |
| New Mexico | $50,050 |
| New York | $77,570 |
| North Carolina | $43,870 |
| North Dakota | $59,590 |
| Ohio | $58,490 |
| Oklahoma | $55,080 |
| Oregon | $60,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,590 |
| Rhode Island | $56,470 |
| South Carolina | $44,710 |
| South Dakota | $46,200 |
| Tennessee | $61,680 |
| Texas | $51,060 |
| Utah | $59,220 |
| Vermont | $45,510 |
| Virginia | $53,110 |
| Washington | $70,180 |
| West Virginia | $48,280 |
| Wisconsin | $57,400 |
| Wyoming | $68,170 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Graphics software
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Statistical software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
How do I Become a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator?
What education is needed to be a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator?
Who Employs Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators?
The table below shows the approximate number of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators employed by various industries.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Electricians
- Boilermakers
- Geological Sample Test Technicians
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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