Energy & Utilities career

Stationary Engineer

Also called: Boiler Operator · Operating Engineer (Building) · Chief Engineer · Building Engineer

What stationary engineers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a stationary engineer do?

Stationary engineers and boiler operators control and maintain boilers, chillers, turbines and other equipment that provide heat, power and cooling for buildings, hospitals, campuses and plants. The median pay is $78,620 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 years, and employment is projected to grow +3.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $78,620
    $37.80/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.1%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    3,200
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–4 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    31,200
    Employment, 2025

What stationary engineers do

Stationary engineers keep big buildings comfortable and running. They operate and maintain boilers, chillers, pumps, air handlers and generators, monitor building automation systems, test water chemistry, make repairs and keep logs. They work in hospitals, universities, office towers, factories and central plants.

Most have a high school diploma and learn through long on-the-job training or apprenticeships. Many states and cities require boiler or stationary engineer licenses, which come in grades tied to experience.

Typical duties

  • Operate boilers, chillers and pumps
  • Monitor building automation systems
  • Perform preventive maintenance
  • Test and treat boiler water
  • Troubleshoot and repair equipment
  • Keep logs and records
  • Respond to building emergencies

Work environment and schedule

Stationary engineers work in mechanical rooms and central plants that can be hot and noisy, plus throughout buildings.

Schedule: Many facilities run 24/7, so shift work, weekends and on-call duty are common.

A day in the life

  1. Check boiler pressures and log readings.
  2. Review overnight alarms on the building automation system.
  3. Test boiler water chemistry.
  4. Replace a pump seal in the mechanical room.

See a full day in the life of a stationary engineer →

Stationary Engineer salary

Half of stationary engineers earned more than $78,620 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $50,590 for the lowest 10% to $125,390 for the top 10%.

Full stationary engineer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a stationary engineer

  1. Take mechanical classes
  2. Join an apprenticeship or get hired
  3. Learn systems
  4. Earn licenses
  5. Advance

A high school diploma is typical, plus long on-the-job training or apprenticeship. Licenses are required in many places.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a stationary engineer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Boiler operation
  • Chiller and HVAC systems
  • Building automation
  • Water treatment
  • Pumps and motors

People skills

  • Problem solving
  • Reliability
  • Communication
  • Independence

All stationary engineer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Steady demand in many buildings
  • Good pay with a license
  • Hands-on mechanical work
  • Apprenticeship paths

Cons

  • Shift and on-call work
  • Hot, noisy mechanical rooms
  • Licensing exams
  • Emergency callouts

Certifications and licenses

  • State or city stationary engineer license: Graded licenses in many jurisdictions.
  • Boiler operator license: Required in many states.
  • EPA Section 608: Refrigerant handling certification.
  • Certified Energy Manager: Energy efficiency credential.

Career path

  1. Helper or Apprentice: Learn systems.
  2. Licensed Stationary Engineer: Operate plants.
  3. Shift or Assistant Chief Engineer: Lead shifts.
  4. Chief Engineer: Run building operations.

Learn the job before day one

Our Stationary Engineer training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as test a low-water cutoff and log boiler readings, safety and how to land your first job.

View Stationary Engineer trainingIs this career right for me?

Power Plant Operator

Run the turbines, boilers and controls that generate electricity.

  • $102,040
  • 1–3+ years on the job

HVAC Technician

Install, maintain and repair heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems.

  • $61,010
  • 6–24 months

Water Treatment Plant Operator

Run the plants and systems that clean drinking water and treat wastewater.

  • $60,020
  • Months to years (on the job + certification)

Compare: Stationary Engineer vs. Power Plant Operator · Stationary Engineer vs. HVAC Technician · Stationary Engineer vs. Building Maintenance Tech · Stationary Engineer vs. Water Operator

Stationary Engineer FAQ

Do stationary engineers need a license?

In many states and cities, yes.

Is there an apprenticeship path?

Yes, often through unions such as IUOE.

Where do they work?

Hospitals, campuses, office buildings, plants and government facilities.

How much does a stationary engineer make?

The median annual wage for stationary engineers was $78,620 ($37.80 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $50,590 and the highest 10% earned more than $125,390.

How long does it take to become a stationary engineer?

Most people need about 1–4 years of training. A high school diploma is typical, plus long on-the-job training or apprenticeship. Licenses are required in many places.

Do you need a degree to be a stationary engineer?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More stationary engineer questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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