Stationary engineer salary
BLS occupation: Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators · Production · data for May 2025
Median salary $78,620 a year, US
Median hourly pay $37.80 an hour
Middle half earn $63,160–$101,150 25th to 75th percentile
Stationary engineers employed 28,250 +3.1% projected by 2035
How much does a stationary engineer make?
- The median stationary engineer salary in the US is $78,620 a year ($37.80 an hour): half of the 28,250 stationary engineers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $83,960.
- The middle half earn between $63,160 and $101,150. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $50,590 and the top 10% more than $125,390.
- That is 54% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Illinois pays stationary engineers the most (median $115,780), followed by Wyoming ($111,920) and Hawaii ($103,400). Louisiana pays the least ($47,750).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Wyoming, where the median is worth $120,745 in typical US prices, then Illinois and Hawaii. Illinois's higher pay is offset by its prices (100.0 vs a US average of 100).
- In 68 of the 108 metro areas with data, the median stationary engineer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of stationary engineers to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 3,200 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what stationary engineers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Stationary engineer salary range
Half of stationary engineers earn between $63,160 and $101,150 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $50,590
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $63,160
Median Yearly pay: $78,620
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $101,150
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $125,390
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $50,590 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $63,160 |
| Median | $78,620 |
| Top 25% earn over | $101,150 |
| Top 10% earn over | $125,390 |
Stationary engineer salary by state
Illinois pays stationary engineers the most; Louisiana the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($78,620), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $115,780 median |
| Wyoming | $111,920 median |
| Hawaii | $103,400 median |
| Connecticut | $94,870 median |
| New York | $94,070 median |
| Washington | $91,530 median |
| California | $90,650 median |
| District of Columbia | $90,470 median |
| Alaska | $88,330 median |
| Maryland | $85,240 median |
| Michigan | $82,800 median |
| Colorado | $81,310 median |
| Massachusetts | $80,800 median |
| Nevada | $79,110 median |
| Montana | $77,690 median |
| Delaware | $77,630 median |
| New Jersey | $76,560 median |
| Utah | $76,490 median |
| Minnesota | $75,850 median |
| Ohio | $75,470 median |
| Arizona | $75,410 median |
| New Mexico | $74,480 median |
| Pennsylvania | $72,900 median |
| South Carolina | $72,650 median |
| Missouri | $72,620 median |
| Tennessee | $72,470 median |
| Georgia | $70,640 median |
| Oklahoma | $68,450 median |
| Vermont | $68,400 median |
| South Dakota | $68,090 median |
| Oregon | $67,630 median |
| Indiana | $67,560 median |
| Iowa | $67,450 median |
| Kentucky | $66,770 median |
| North Dakota | $66,760 median |
| New Hampshire | $66,180 median |
| Florida | $65,040 median |
| Nebraska | $64,930 median |
| Kansas | $64,490 median |
| Idaho | $64,460 median |
| Virginia | $64,150 median |
| Texas | $63,810 median |
| Rhode Island | $63,330 median |
| Maine | $62,910 median |
| Wisconsin | $61,170 median |
| North Carolina | $60,860 median |
| Arkansas | $58,000 median |
| Mississippi | $53,640 median |
| Alabama | $53,470 median |
| West Virginia | $53,340 median |
| Louisiana | $47,750 median |
Where stationary engineer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Stationary engineers' pay goes furthest in Wyoming once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $120,745 |
| Illinois | $115,829 |
| Hawaii | $94,042 |
| Connecticut | $91,565 |
| New York | $87,166 |
| Alaska | $86,294 |
| Michigan | $86,055 |
| Washington | $85,532 |
| District of Columbia | $82,320 |
| Montana | $82,086 |
Stationary engineer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $115,780 | $55.66 | $72,270 | $125,260 | 1,680 | $115,829 |
| Wyoming | $111,920 | $53.81 | $62,940 | $116,180 | 100 | $120,745 |
| Hawaii | $103,400 | $49.71 | $57,720 | $112,660 | 70 | $94,042 |
| Connecticut | $94,870 | $45.61 | $67,520 | $109,680 | 270 | $91,565 |
| New York | $94,070 | $45.23 | $61,290 | $151,730 | 4,480 | $87,166 |
| Washington | $91,530 | $44.00 | $67,220 | $128,250 | 520 | $85,532 |
| California | $90,650 | $43.58 | $48,610 | $132,730 | 5,840 | $81,873 |
| District of Columbia | $90,470 | $43.50 | $62,710 | $108,600 | 620 | $82,320 |
| Alaska | $88,330 | $42.47 | $61,140 | $117,740 | 90 | $86,294 |
| Maryland | $85,240 | $40.98 | $57,190 | $107,890 | 850 | $81,213 |
| Michigan | $82,800 | $39.81 | $54,510 | $92,630 | 490 | $86,055 |
| Colorado | $81,310 | $39.09 | $46,670 | $99,550 | 560 | $78,902 |
| Massachusetts | $80,800 | $38.85 | $64,540 | $100,710 | 530 | $76,402 |
| Nevada | $79,110 | $38.03 | $76,510 | $129,400 | 60 | $79,127 |
| Montana | $77,690 | $37.35 | $50,410 | $108,210 | 110 | $82,086 |
| Delaware | $77,630 | $37.32 | $71,700 | $89,920 | 40 | $77,779 |
| New Jersey | $76,560 | $36.81 | $54,170 | $106,490 | 1,400 | $70,364 |
| Utah | $76,490 | $36.77 | $65,270 | $114,600 | 110 | $77,369 |
| Minnesota | $75,850 | $36.47 | $61,620 | $98,610 | 1,440 | $76,911 |
| Ohio | $75,470 | $36.28 | $59,130 | $87,890 | 760 | $81,348 |
| Arizona | $75,410 | $36.25 | $57,440 | $124,490 | 80 | $74,903 |
| New Mexico | $74,480 | $35.81 | $39,520 | $116,160 | 100 | $80,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,900 | $35.05 | $48,140 | $89,000 | 1,730 | $74,714 |
| South Carolina | $72,650 | $34.93 | $53,330 | $89,240 | 170 | $77,494 |
| Missouri | $72,620 | $34.91 | $49,920 | $85,070 | 380 | $79,963 |
| Tennessee | $72,470 | $34.84 | $34,360 | $93,500 | 370 | $78,883 |
| Georgia | $70,640 | $33.96 | $53,290 | $92,310 | 240 | $73,359 |
| Oklahoma | $68,450 | $32.91 | $45,330 | $95,830 | 180 | $77,923 |
| Vermont | $68,400 | $32.88 | $44,620 | $77,870 | 70 | $69,826 |
| South Dakota | $68,090 | $32.74 | $43,310 | $75,770 | 90 | $76,863 |
| Oregon | $67,630 | $32.51 | $47,780 | $100,220 | 330 | $65,431 |
| Indiana | $67,560 | $32.48 | $48,730 | $94,080 | 290 | $72,389 |
| Iowa | $67,450 | $32.43 | $49,760 | $76,380 | 190 | $76,856 |
| Kentucky | $66,770 | $32.10 | $28,890 | $88,900 | 90 | $74,058 |
| North Dakota | $66,760 | $32.10 | $48,270 | $108,460 | 140 | $75,046 |
| New Hampshire | $66,180 | $31.82 | $53,490 | $85,280 | 60 | $63,534 |
| Florida | $65,040 | $31.27 | $46,930 | $83,080 | 170 | $62,893 |
| Nebraska | $64,930 | $31.22 | $46,470 | $86,400 | 290 | $72,062 |
| Kansas | $64,490 | $31.00 | $50,230 | $90,730 | 120 | $71,601 |
| Idaho | $64,460 | $30.99 | $53,950 | $80,870 | 120 | $67,502 |
| Virginia | $64,150 | $30.84 | $36,510 | $94,640 | 350 | $63,450 |
| Texas | $63,810 | $30.68 | $48,250 | $90,190 | 890 | $65,745 |
| Rhode Island | $63,330 | $30.45 | $53,280 | $86,740 | 60 | $61,918 |
| Maine | $62,910 | $30.25 | $49,360 | $78,880 | 290 | $64,822 |
| Wisconsin | $61,170 | $29.41 | $51,040 | $78,120 | 270 | $65,009 |
| North Carolina | $60,860 | $29.26 | $37,050 | $79,450 | 220 | $64,521 |
| Arkansas | $58,000 | $27.88 | $43,800 | $72,320 | 200 | $66,715 |
| Mississippi | $53,640 | $25.79 | $42,440 | $78,390 | 200 | $61,688 |
| Alabama | $53,470 | $25.71 | $38,160 | $78,560 | 220 | $60,198 |
| West Virginia | $53,340 | $25.64 | $49,120 | $56,420 | 40 | $59,600 |
| Louisiana | $47,750 | $22.96 | $39,710 | $87,560 | 290 | $54,134 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Stationary engineer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes stationary engineer pay: 109 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $129,930
- San Jose, CA $123,170
- Vallejo, CA $123,170
- Springfield, IL $117,590
- Chicago, IL $115,780
- Seattle, WA $112,250
- New York, NY $104,810
- Stockton, CA $103,690
- Kennewick, WA $103,380
- Honolulu, HI $103,060
Where the pay goes furthest
- Springfield, IL $126,789
- Vallejo, CA $113,543
- San Francisco, CA $112,384
- Chicago, IL $111,762
- San Jose, CA $111,544
- Kennewick, WA $103,298
- El Centro, CA $101,025
- Seattle, WA $101,005
- Stockton, CA $98,669
- Lima, OH $95,830
All 109 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $129,930 | 980 | $112,384 | 32% |
| San Jose, CA | $123,170 | 210 | $111,544 | 37% |
| Vallejo, CA | $123,170 | 110 | $113,543 | 24% |
| Springfield, IL | $117,590 | 60 | $126,789 | 12% |
| Chicago, IL | $115,780 | 1,210 | $111,762 | 22% |
| Seattle, WA | $112,250 | 210 | $101,005 | 24% |
| New York, NY | $104,810 | 3,810 | $93,112 | 41% |
| Stockton, CA | $103,690 | 50 | $98,669 | 28% |
| Kennewick, WA | $103,380 | 80 | $103,298 | 20% |
| Honolulu, HI | $103,060 | 40 | $92,879 | 35% |
| Sacramento, CA | $99,840 | 520 | $93,597 | 27% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $97,470 | 80 | $91,209 | 35% |
| El Centro, CA | $96,150 | 40 | $101,025 | 23% |
| Hartford, CT | $94,870 | 110 | $92,334 | 25% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $94,100 | 110 | $93,274 | 23% |
| Oxnard, CA | $92,420 | 70 | $83,612 | 38% |
| Washington, DC | $91,480 | 970 | $84,016 | 32% |
| Waterbury, CT | $90,830 | 30 | $91,032 | – |
| Detroit, MI | $87,700 | 220 | $87,439 | 21% |
| Riverside, CA | $87,170 | 370 | $81,894 | 35% |
| Fresno, CA | $87,140 | 120 | $85,299 | 28% |
| Lima, OH | $85,930 | 30 | $95,830 | 17% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $85,690 | 70 | $78,907 | 39% |
| Davenport, IA | $85,180 | 40 | $95,623 | 14% |
| Boston, MA | $83,950 | 340 | $77,541 | 43% |
| Baltimore, MD | $83,530 | 410 | $79,943 | 28% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $83,350 | 40 | $80,675 | 25% |
| Denver, CO | $82,100 | 340 | $77,612 | 28% |
| Portland, OR | $81,250 | 100 | $77,072 | 27% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $79,720 | 740 | $77,735 | 29% |
| Columbus, OH | $79,680 | 120 | $83,462 | 23% |
| Anchorage, AK | $79,320 | 40 | $75,242 | 29% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $79,160 | 120 | $82,720 | 23% |
| Reno, NV | $79,110 | 50 | $78,316 | 31% |
| Cleveland, OH | $78,850 | 110 | $83,952 | 22% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $78,820 | 150 | $82,647 | 23% |
| Louisville, KY | $78,800 | 30 | $84,664 | 20% |
| Mankato, MN | $78,610 | 40 | $86,427 | 19% |
| Worcester, MA | $78,210 | 50 | $76,285 | 32% |
| Spokane, WA | $78,070 | 60 | $77,801 | 23% |
| Longview, WA | $77,350 | 30 | $79,297 | 22% |
| San Diego, CA | $77,080 | 450 | $68,891 | 46% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $76,560 | 750 | $73,038 | 27% |
| Trenton, NJ | $76,510 | 110 | $74,152 | 40% |
| Toledo, OH | $76,190 | 50 | $83,309 | 20% |
| Vineland, NJ | $75,940 | 40 | $79,131 | 26% |
| St. Louis, MO | $75,610 | 240 | $79,516 | 23% |
| Duluth, MN | $75,260 | 80 | $84,783 | 21% |
| Kansas City, MO | $74,540 | 40 | $80,546 | 25% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $74,420 | 1,980 | $65,530 | 47% |
| Memphis, TN | $74,300 | 40 | $80,604 | 22% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $74,240 | 30 | $85,665 | 18% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $73,930 | 60 | $84,364 | 20% |
| Nashville, TN | $73,790 | 120 | $76,595 | 29% |
| Ogden, UT | $73,090 | 50 | $72,836 | 27% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $73,090 | 410 | $77,204 | 24% |
| Allentown, PA | $72,950 | 120 | $72,973 | 30% |
| Dayton, OH | $72,090 | 50 | $77,772 | 22% |
| Charleston, SC | $71,950 | 30 | $71,264 | 34% |
| Scranton, PA | $71,910 | 60 | $76,863 | 23% |
| Atlanta, GA | $71,850 | 110 | $71,808 | 31% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $71,680 | 50 | $71,177 | 30% |
| Rochester, MN | $71,670 | 80 | $78,913 | 27% |
| Omaha, NE | $71,560 | 110 | $77,858 | 23% |
| Rochester, NY | $71,490 | 200 | $73,674 | 26% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $71,050 | 70 | $72,022 | 25% |
| Dallas, TX | $70,560 | 340 | $68,445 | 28% |
| Springfield, MA | $70,250 | 50 | $73,131 | 34% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $69,600 | 60 | $71,799 | 27% |
| Buffalo, NY | $69,260 | 300 | $72,263 | 25% |
| Napa, CA | $69,050 | 90 | $61,348 | 51% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $68,650 | 40 | $75,934 | 24% |
| Tulsa, OK | $68,560 | 70 | $76,849 | 24% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $68,550 | 100 | $69,343 | 36% |
| Portland, ME | $68,340 | 60 | $67,093 | 40% |
| Houston, TX | $68,100 | 170 | $69,047 | 29% |
| Akron, OH | $67,540 | 30 | $72,336 | 23% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $67,540 | 80 | $68,960 | 34% |
| Syracuse, NY | $67,430 | 160 | $70,429 | 29% |
| Kingston, NY | $67,250 | 50 | $66,777 | 36% |
| Fargo, ND | $66,760 | 60 | $73,467 | 20% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $66,660 | 70 | $60,920 | 41% |
| Albany, NY | $66,620 | 320 | $66,910 | 30% |
| Providence, RI | $66,550 | 90 | $65,391 | 39% |
| Salinas, CA | $66,440 | 120 | $60,931 | 50% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $65,960 | 30 | $65,392 | 30% |
| Miami, FL | $65,880 | 80 | $57,711 | 48% |
| Utica, NY | $64,940 | 50 | $70,071 | 26% |
| Columbia, SC | $64,930 | 40 | $69,324 | 29% |
| Richmond, VA | $64,750 | 60 | $66,167 | 32% |
| Eugene, OR | $64,670 | 50 | $63,672 | 33% |
| Wichita, KS | $64,490 | 70 | $72,505 | 22% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $64,470 | 70 | $59,814 | 50% |
| York, PA | $64,320 | 60 | $67,000 | 26% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $64,150 | 60 | $58,962 | 61% |
| Lincoln, NE | $62,730 | 70 | $68,497 | 25% |
| Reading, PA | $62,560 | 40 | $64,455 | 30% |
| Austin, TX | $62,430 | 60 | $63,661 | 31% |
| Binghamton, NY | $62,420 | 70 | $67,217 | 31% |
| Redding, CA | $61,690 | 40 | $61,271 | 32% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $61,050 | 40 | $64,354 | 28% |
| San Antonio, TX | $60,230 | 110 | $63,590 | 28% |
| Lubbock, TX | $54,470 | 30 | $59,649 | 29% |
| Little Rock, AR | $54,380 | 50 | $60,852 | 27% |
| Gulfport, MS | $53,640 | 50 | $59,596 | 32% |
| Springfield, MO | $51,090 | 30 | $57,673 | 29% |
| New Orleans, LA | $50,060 | 60 | $54,062 | 38% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $46,590 | 70 | $51,322 | 35% |
| Houma, LA | $43,490 | 30 | $51,103 | 36% |
What the median stationary engineer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $78,620 |
| Month | $6,552 |
| Every two weeks | $3,024 |
| Week | $1,512 |
| Hour | $37.80 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a stationary engineer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +3.1% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 3,200 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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Questions about stationary engineer pay
How much does a stationary engineer make an hour?
The median is $37.80 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $24.32 and the top 10% over $60.28.
How much does a stationary engineer make a month?
About $6,552 a month before taxes at the median salary of $78,620, or $3,024 every two weeks.
What state pays stationary engineers the most?
Illinois, with a median of $115,780. Wyoming ($111,920), Hawaii ($103,400), Connecticut ($94,870) and New York ($94,070) follow.
Where do stationary engineers make the most after cost of living?
Wyoming: its median of $111,920 is worth $120,745 at typical US prices. Illinois, Hawaii and Connecticut come next.
How much do entry-level stationary engineers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of stationary engineers earn under $50,590 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $63,160, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a stationary engineer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: long-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 51-8021 (Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.