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.

Also called: Auxiliary Operator, Boiler Operator, Boiler Technician (Boiler Tech), Operating Engineer, Operator, Plant Utilities Engineer, Recovery Boiler Operator, Stationary Engineer, Stationary Steam Engineer, Utilities Operator, Air Compressor Engineer, Air Compressor Operator, Air Conditioning Engineer (AC Engineer), Air Plant Engineer, Blowing Engineer, Boiler Engineer, Boiler Fireman, Boiler Plant Equipment Mechanic, Boiler Plant Operator, Boiler Room Operator, Boiler Service Technician (Boiler Service Tech), Breaker Engineer, Byproduct Engineer, Compressor Operator, Cooling System Operator, Cooling Tower Operator, Diesel Stationary Engineer, Engineer, Engineman, Exhaust Worker, Exhauster Engineer, Fan Engine Engineer, Fan Runner, Gas Engine Operator, Heating and Ventilating Worker, Heating Operators Engineer, High Pressure Boiler Operator, Humidifier Attendant, HVAC Mechanic Boiler Operator (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic Boiler Operator), Low Pressure Boiler Operator, Low Pressure Boiler Tender, Low Pressure Firer, Marine Firer, Oiler and Watertender Fireman, Operating Power Plant Combustion Engineer, Plant Engineer, Plugman, Power House Attendant, Power House Engineer, Power House Stationary Engineer, Power House Tender, Power Operator, Power Station Operator, Pump House Engineer, Pump House Operator, Pumping Station Engineer, Refrigerating Engineer, Refrigeration Engineer, Retort Firer, Stationary Boiler Fireman, Stationary Fireman, Steam Boiler Fireman, Steam Engineer, Steam Plant Operator, Steam Turbine Operator, Tank Farm Operator, Thermal Systems Engineer, Turbine Operator, Turbo Electric Operator, Turbo Operator, Utilities Manager, Ventilation Worker, Watch Engine Operator, Watch Engineer, Water Pump Operator, Water Pumper

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
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.
Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Repairing
Reading Comprehension
Active Learning
Monitoring
Coordination
Complex Problem Solving

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (47.15% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

63,160–101,150 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-8021.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build troubleshooting, preventive-maintenance, and controls experience; explore senior technician, maintenance planning, or lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (47.15% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators