What You Need to Know About Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Job Description: 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?

• Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
• Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
• Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
• Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
• Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
• Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.

Qualities of a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Watch Engine Operator
• Byproduct Engineer
• Diesel Stationary Engineer
• Air Compressor Operator
• Steam Plant Operator

Is There Going to be Demand for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 35,700 jobs in the United States for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.8% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,700 new jobs for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators by 2026. There will be an estimated 3,900 positions for Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators are New York, California, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in Wisconsin, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator Average Salary

The salary for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators ranges between about $36,550 and $96,660 a year. The median salary is $60,440.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
California	$84,160
Illinois	$81,650
District of Columbia	$77,800
New York	$77,570
Washington	$70,180
Alaska	$69,120
Wyoming	$68,170
Connecticut	$64,930
Massachusetts	$63,580
Delaware	$63,430
Michigan	$63,060
Maryland	$61,830
Tennessee	$61,680
New Hampshire	$60,970
Colorado	$60,710
Oregon	$60,200
Minnesota	$59,870
North Dakota	$59,590
Utah	$59,220
New Jersey	$58,990
Georgia	$58,540
Ohio	$58,490
Wisconsin	$57,400
Montana	$56,960
Rhode Island	$56,470
Pennsylvania	$55,590
Iowa	$55,100
Oklahoma	$55,080
Florida	$54,790
Kansas	$53,940
Arizona	$53,470
Virginia	$53,110
Indiana	$52,220
Missouri	$52,160
Texas	$51,060
Idaho	$50,650
New Mexico	$50,050
Maine	$49,580
Louisiana	$49,090
Nebraska	$48,390
West Virginia	$48,280
Mississippi	$48,070
Alabama	$47,500
Arkansas	$46,780
South Dakota	$46,200
Vermont	$45,510
South Carolina	$44,710
North Carolina	$43,870
Kentucky	$41,570

Tools & Technologies Used by Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators:

• SAP
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook

How to Become a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator

Learn what Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Stationary Engineer or Boiler Operator?

Where do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Work?

Similar Careers

Are you already one of the many Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• Electricians
• Boilermakers
• Geological Sample Test Technicians

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons