What Do Stationary Engineers And Boiler Operators Do

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators 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.

Salary
$68170
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators 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.

  • 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.
  • Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, adjust supplies of combustion air, and control the flow of fuel into burners.
  • Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
  • Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Stationary Engineers weigh, measure, and record fuel used. They 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.

A typical day for a Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator will also include:

  • Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
  • Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
  • Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
  • Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
  • Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Stationary Engineers also test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters. They may also provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Stationary Engineers clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools. They might also install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.

In addition, they switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.

To some Stationary Engineers, it is also their responsibility to perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

High

77% said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Demand for this career is growing.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$68170 per year

Average hourly wage

$33 per hour

Entry-level Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $40,680 to $52,650 per year or $20 to $25 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $103,580 $50
Senior (Top 25%) $81,390 $39
Median $64,680 $31
Junior (Bottom 25%) $52,650 $25
No experience (Bottom 10%) $40,680 $20

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Outpatient Care Centers $89510 $43.03
Local Government $86740 $41.70
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions $84160 $40.46
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution $81580 $39.22
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $79670 $38.30
Postal Service (Federal Government) $78500 $37.74
Warehousing and Storage $78050 $37.53
Real Estate $76850 $36.95
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank $76760 $36.90
Management of Companies and Enterprises $75580 $36.34

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 4710 $72300 $34.76
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 3010 $65620 $31.55
Local Government 2960 $86740 $41.70
State Government 2320 $66370 $31.91
Real Estate 1430 $76850 $36.95
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills 1380 $61330 $29.48
Elementary and Secondary Schools 1210 $51560 $24.79
Federal Executive Branch 980 $62670 $30.13
Building Equipment Contractors 840 $55690 $26.78
Facilities Support Services 740 $72110 $34.67

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
11%

40 hours
63%

More than 40 hours
26%

Working schedule

79%

12%

9%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
7%

Every day
65%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
19%

Every day
66%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
9%

Every day
70%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
67%

Once a year
16%

Once a month
5%

Once a week
0%

Every day
12%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
12%

Slightly competitive
32%

Moderately competitive
24%

Highly competitive
17%

Extremely competitive
15%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
11%

Once a year or more
3%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
22%

Every day
65%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
4%

Once a year or more
11%

Once a month or more
8%

Once a week or more
10%

Every day
67%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
5%

Once a year or more
19%

Once a month or more
12%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
58%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
25%

Once a year or more
16%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
29%

Every day
17%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
6%

High School Diploma or equivalent
63%

Post-Secondary Certificate
16%

Some College Courses
16%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
26%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
6%

1 to 2 years
32%

2 to 4 years
29%

4 to 6 years
4%

6 to 8 years
2%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
2%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
6%

1 to 3 months
13%

3 to 6 months
13%

6 months to 1 year
48%

1 to 2 years
15%

2 to 4 years
2%

4 to 10 years
4%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
100%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
67%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
14%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
19%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
33%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
62%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
38%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
52%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
33%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
67%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
71%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
52%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

Take The Career Quiz