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.
Table of contents
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
Is this job meaningful
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
Average hourly wage
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
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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