Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for stationary engineers and boiler operators in the United States was $78,620 ($37.80 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| 25th | $63,160 | $30.37 |
| Median | $78,620 | $37.80 |
| 75th | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| 90th | $125,390 | $60.28 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-8021
- Total U.S. employment: 28,250
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
The mean wage of $83,960 sits 6.8% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
At $37.80 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $78,624 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $78,620.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,470 | $25.71 | -32.0% | 220 |
| Alaska | $88,330 | $42.47 | +12.4% | 90 |
| Arizona | $75,410 | $36.26 | -4.1% | 80 |
| Arkansas | $58,000 | $27.89 | -26.2% | 200 |
| California | $90,650 | $43.58 | +15.3% | 5,840 |
| Colorado | $81,310 | $39.09 | +3.4% | 560 |
| Connecticut | $94,870 | $45.61 | +20.7% | 270 |
| Delaware | $77,630 | $37.32 | -1.3% | 40 |
| District of Columbia | $90,470 | $43.50 | +15.1% | 620 |
| Florida | $65,040 | $31.27 | -17.3% | 170 |
| Georgia | $70,640 | $33.96 | -10.2% | 240 |
| Hawaii | $103,400 | $49.71 | +31.5% | 70 |
| Idaho | $64,460 | $30.99 | -18.0% | 120 |
| Illinois | $115,780 | $55.66 | +47.3% | 1,680 |
| Indiana | $67,560 | $32.48 | -14.1% | 290 |
| Iowa | $67,450 | $32.43 | -14.2% | 190 |
| Kansas | $64,490 | $31.00 | -18.0% | 120 |
| Kentucky | $66,770 | $32.10 | -15.1% | 90 |
| Louisiana | $47,750 | $22.96 | -39.3% | 290 |
| Maine | $62,910 | $30.24 | -20.0% | 290 |
| Maryland | $85,240 | $40.98 | +8.4% | 850 |
| Massachusetts | $80,800 | $38.85 | +2.8% | 530 |
| Michigan | $82,800 | $39.81 | +5.3% | 490 |
| Minnesota | $75,850 | $36.47 | -3.5% | 1,440 |
| Mississippi | $53,640 | $25.79 | -31.8% | 200 |
| Missouri | $72,620 | $34.91 | -7.6% | 380 |
| Montana | $77,690 | $37.35 | -1.2% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $64,930 | $31.22 | -17.4% | 290 |
| Nevada | $79,110 | $38.03 | +0.6% | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $66,180 | $31.82 | -15.8% | 60 |
| New Jersey | $76,560 | $36.81 | -2.6% | 1,400 |
| New Mexico | $74,480 | $35.81 | -5.3% | 100 |
| New York | $94,070 | $45.22 | +19.7% | 4,480 |
| North Carolina | $60,860 | $29.26 | -22.6% | 220 |
| North Dakota | $66,760 | $32.10 | -15.1% | 140 |
| Ohio | $75,470 | $36.29 | -4.0% | 760 |
| Oklahoma | $68,450 | $32.91 | -12.9% | 180 |
| Oregon | $67,630 | $32.51 | -14.0% | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,900 | $35.05 | -7.3% | 1,730 |
| Rhode Island | $63,330 | $30.45 | -19.4% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $72,650 | $34.93 | -7.6% | 170 |
| South Dakota | $68,090 | $32.74 | -13.4% | 90 |
| Tennessee | $72,470 | $34.84 | -7.8% | 370 |
| Texas | $63,810 | $30.68 | -18.8% | 890 |
| Utah | $76,490 | $36.77 | -2.7% | 110 |
| Vermont | $68,400 | $32.89 | -13.0% | 70 |
| Virginia | $64,150 | $30.84 | -18.4% | 350 |
| Washington | $91,530 | $44.00 | +16.4% | 520 |
| West Virginia | $53,340 | $25.64 | -32.2% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $61,170 | $29.41 | -22.2% | 270 |
| Wyoming | $111,920 | $53.81 | +42.4% | 100 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Medical and Health Services Managers — $123,860/yr
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $36,280/yr
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — $33,980/yr
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $41,670/yr
- Computer Systems Analysts — $105,850/yr
- Childcare Workers — $34,980/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for stationary engineers and boiler operators?
The median annual wage for stationary engineers and boiler operators is $78,620 ($37.80 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays stationary engineers and boiler operators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many stationary engineers and boiler operators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 28,250 stationary engineers and boiler operators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do stationary engineers and boiler operators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $37.80. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.