Stationary Engineer (public facilities)

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.

O*NET definition of Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators (SOC 51-8021) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators (SOC 51-8021) naming each level as required to be hired, 20 respondents, O*NET survey August 2023. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Stationary engineers and boiler operators need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and are trained either on the job or through an apprenticeship program. Many employers require stationary engineers and boiler operators to demonstrate competency through licenses or company-specific exams before they are allowed to operate equipment without supervision.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Stationary Engineer (public facilities) in 14 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 14 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

1. 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.4.4
2. 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.4.4
3. Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.4.4
4. Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.4.3
5. Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.4.3
6. Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.4.3
7. Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.4.3
8. 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.4.2
9. Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.4.2
10. Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.4.1

The 10 most important of 20 core tasks for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2023.