upper level job

Boiler Operator I Salary in Sturgis, SD

How much does an Boiler Operator I make in Sturgis, SD?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Boiler Operator I in Sturgis, SD is $48,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, an Boiler Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,096
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,100 to $52,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,093
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,100 10% $38,093 90% $55,096 75% $52,000 $48,600 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Boiler Operator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $52,000 $4,333 $1,000 $25
Average $48,600 $4,050 $935 $23
25th Percentile $43,100 $3,592 $829 $21
Check out Boiler Operator I Job Openings in Sturgis, SD
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Key Factors That Influence Boiler Operator I Salaries

An Boiler Operator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Boiler Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Boiler Operator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Boiler Operator I (0-1 years): $48,579
  • Boiler Operator II (1-3 years): $53,975
  • Boiler Operator III (3-5 years): $61,068
  • Boiler Operator IV (5-7 years): $76,149
  • Boiler Operator Team Lead (7+ years): $74,010
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Boiler Operator I0-1 years$48,579
Boiler Operator II1-3 years$53,975
Boiler Operator III3-5 years$61,068
Boiler Operator IV5-7 years$76,149
Boiler Operator Team Lead7+ years$74,010
$48,579 Boiler Op...
$53,975 Boiler Op...
$61,068 Boiler Op...
$76,149 Boiler Op...
$74,010 Boiler Op...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Boiler Operator Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $68,400
  • San Francisco: $67,600
  • Oakland: $66,200

What Skills Can Increase an Boiler Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 13.63% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Project Commissioning (Mentioned in 3.34% Job Postings): Project commissioning is the process of assuring that all systems and components of a building or industrial plant are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to the operational requirements of the owner or final client.
  • Field Service (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): Managing and optimizing operations to respond to and address customer requests at off-site locations or client sites.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 13.63%
Project Commissioning 3.34%
Field Service 1.87%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Boiler Operator I's salary.
  • Managed Services: Can increase your salary by up to 42%.
  • Telecommunications: Can increase your salary by up to 40%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Managed Services
$69,012
42%
Telecommunications
$68,040
40%
Verbal Communication
$56,376
16%
Power Generation
$55,890
15%
Initiative
$55,404
14%
Analysis
$54,432
12%
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Boiler Operator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Boiler Operator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $54,405. While startup companies pay approximate $46,025.

Boiler Operator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$46,025
Growth Stage51~500$48,677
Established501~5000$52,538
Enterprise5000+$54,405

Boiler Operator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Boiler Operator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 49% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Boiler Operator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Boiler Operator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Boiler Operator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$60,750$29.025%
Financial Services$58,320$28.020%
Software & Networking$58,320$28.020%
Pharmaceuticals$56,862$27.017%
Internet$54,432$26.012%

Boiler Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Boiler Operator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Boiler Operator I Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Boiler Operator I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Boiler Operator II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $54,000 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Find Your Next Boiler Operator I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Boiler Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • CRST, INC.

    Sturgis, SD

    CRST, INC. | Sturgis, SD

    CRST The Transportation Solution Inc. is one of the nation's largest transportation companies, providing total transportation solutions and comprehensive l... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Reliable Nurse Staffing

    Sturgis, SD

    Reliable Nurse Staffing | Sturgis, SD

    Reliable Nurse Staffing is seeking a travel nurse RN Long Term Care (LTC) Long Term Care for a travel nursing job in Sturgis, South Dakota. Job Description... more

    4 Days Ago

  • GQR Healthcare

    Sturgis, SD

    GQR Healthcare | Sturgis, SD

    GQR Healthcare is seeking a travel nurse RN Long Term Care for a travel nursing job in Sturgis, South Dakota. Job Description & Requirements Specialty:Long... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Monument Health

    Sturgis, SD

    Monument Health | Sturgis, SD

    Current Employees:If you are a current employee, please apply via the internal career site by logging into your Workday Account and clicking the Career ico... more

    4 Days Ago

  • BLACK HILLS SPECIAL SERVICES COOPERATIVE

    Sturgis, SD

    BLACK HILLS SPECIAL SERVICES COOPERATIVE | Sturgis, SD

    The Support Coordinator plays a central role in supporting participants by serving as the primary point of contact for services and coordination. This posi... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ELM Utility Services

    Sturgis, SD

    ELM Utility Services | Sturgis, SD

    ELM Utility Services is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran StatusELM Utility Services, with a team of over 1300 employees nationwide, is of... more

    4 Days Ago

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