Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

SOC: 51-8021 O*NET: 51-8021.00
Median Salary
$75,190
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

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.

What does a Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$47,310
10th percentile
Early Career
$60,110
25th percentile
Median
$75,190
50th percentile
Experienced
$96,420
75th percentile
Top Earners
$121,200
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$47,310
25th
$60,110
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$75,190
Mean: $79,710
75th
$96,420
90th
$121,200
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $73,890 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $60,110 and $96,420
  • Salary spread is 48.3% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 30,780 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:33,300

Top Industries

Manufacturing17.1%
Hospitals14.6%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals14%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:3,800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)33,300
Current
2034 (Projected)34,000
+2.2%
+700
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
7,800 jobs$78,4902.16x
New York
4,350 jobs$91,7902.28x
Illinois
1,670 jobs$112,2301.38x
Pennsylvania
1,670 jobs$69,2901.39x
Minnesota
1,540 jobs$73,5602.64x
Maryland
1,170 jobs$82,9602.14x
New Jersey
1,130 jobs$74,6201.33x
Texas
930 jobs$64,0500.33x
Ohio
640 jobs$72,0700.58x
Washington
630 jobs$89,1700.90x
Massachusetts
580 jobs$76,8500.80x
Colorado
550 jobs$73,9000.95x
Michigan
500 jobs$78,3700.57x
Oregon
440 jobs$65,3401.13x
Tennessee
430 jobs$54,2500.66x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Troubleshooting
80%
#5
Equipment Maintenance
74%
#6
Repairing
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Quality Control Analysis
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%

Skills Overview

Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Troubleshooting
intermediate4.0
80%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.7
74%
Repairing
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Operations Monitoring

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Operation and Control

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Troubleshooting

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Equipment Maintenance

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Repairing

intermediate
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Quality Control Analysis

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Boilermakers82%
5 shared skills
Robotics Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Industrial Machinery Mechanics82%
5 shared skills
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General82%
5 shared skills
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics82%
5 shared skills
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Learn on the Job:
  • Active Listening
  • Repairing
  • Complex Problem Solving

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting
  • Operation and Control
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Troubleshooting
  • Operation and Control
  • Critical Thinking
  • Equipment Maintenance

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)General Responsibilities (12)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1

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.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform
2

Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

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.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform
5

Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform
6

Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform
9

Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform
10

Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support

RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.36

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.36

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.17

Independence

Important

Independence

Importance Level3.99

Adaptability/Flexibility

Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level3.95

Cooperation

Important

Cooperation

Importance Level3.93

Complete Work Styles Profile

Dependability
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Integrity
4.2
Independence
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Analytical Thinking
3.7
Concern for Others
3.7

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Associate degree programs
  • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

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