California Median
$90,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $78,620
State Rank
#7 of 51
5,840 employed here
How much do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators make in California?
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in California take home a median of $90,650 annually — roughly $43.58 an hour — which runs 15% above the national median of $78,620.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,610 while the top 10% make $132,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,860 and $120,350 a year.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,610 | $23.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,860 | $29.74 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $90,650 | $43.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $120,350 | $57.86 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,730 | $63.81 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary in other states
Illinois $115,780Wyoming $111,920Hawaii $103,400Connecticut $94,870New York $94,070Washington $91,530District of Columbia $90,470Alaska $88,330Maryland $85,240Michigan $82,800Colorado $81,310Massachusetts $80,800Nevada $79,110Montana $77,690Delaware $77,630New Jersey $76,560Utah $76,490Minnesota $75,850Ohio $75,470Arizona $75,410New Mexico $74,480Pennsylvania $72,900South Carolina $72,650Missouri $72,620Tennessee $72,470Georgia $70,640Oklahoma $68,450Vermont $68,400South Dakota $68,090Oregon $67,630Indiana $67,560Iowa $67,450Kentucky $66,770North Dakota $66,760New Hampshire $66,180Florida $65,040Nebraska $64,930Kansas $64,490Idaho $64,460Virginia $64,150Texas $63,810Rhode Island $63,330Maine $62,910Wisconsin $61,170North Carolina $60,860Arkansas $58,000Mississippi $53,640Alabama $53,470West Virginia $53,340Louisiana $47,750
Working as Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in California
Nationally, about 28,000 people work as Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($90,650) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators make in California?
The median Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary in California is $90,650 per year, or about $43.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,610 at the entry level to $132,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators about 15% more than the national median of $78,620. California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $90,650 a year. About 5,840 Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.