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Stationary Operating Engineer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Stationary Operating Engineer II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Stationary Operating Engineer II in the United States is $60,180 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Stationary Operating Engineer II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,261
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,500 to $65,980
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,060

Key Factors That Influence Stationary Operating Engineer II Salaries

A Stationary Operating Engineer II'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Stationary Operating Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Stationary Operating Engineer II'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): $54,157
  • Stationary Operating Engineer II (1-3 years): $60,174
  • Boiler Operator III (3-5 years): $68,085
  • Boiler Operator IV (5-7 years): $84,910
  • Boiler Operator Team Lead (7+ years): $82,522
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Boiler Operator I0-1 years$54,157
Stationary Operating Engineer II1-3 years$60,174
Boiler Operator III3-5 years$68,085
Boiler Operator IV5-7 years$84,910
Boiler Operator Team Lead7+ years$82,522

How Do Stationary Operating Engineer II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Stationary Operating Engineer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,630.
  • California: $66,380.
  • Massachusetts: $65,490.

Top Paying Cities for Stationary Operating Engineer IIs

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: $75,900
  • San Francisco: $75,070
  • Oakland: $73,490

What Skills Can Increase a Stationary Operating Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 10.08% 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.
  • Water Treatment (Mentioned in 3.21% Job Postings): Water treatment is any process that improves the quality of water to make it more acceptable for a specific end-use. The end use may be drinking, industrial water supply, irrigation, river flow maintenance, water recreation or many other uses, including being safely returned to the environment. Water treatment removes contaminants and undesirable components, or reduces their concentration so that the water becomes fit for its desired end-use. This treatment is crucial to human health and allows humans to benefit from both drinking and irrigation use.
  • Pneumatics (Mentioned in 1.21% Job Postings): Pneumatics (pronounced new-MATT-ix) is an aspect of physics and engineering that is concerned with using the energy in compressed gas to make something move or work.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 10.08%
Water Treatment 3.21%
Pneumatics 1.21%

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 a Stationary Operating Engineer II's salary.

  • Program Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Program Management $69,809
16%
Coordination $64,994
8%
Scheduling $63,189
5%

Stationary Operating Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Stationary Operating Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,254. While startup companies pay approximate $56,890.

Stationary Operating Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $56,890
Growth Stage 51~500 $60,167
Established 501~5000 $64,942
Enterprise 5000+ $67,254

Stationary Operating Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Stationary Operating Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 70% above the average. In contrast, Stationary Operating Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Stationary Operating Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Stationary Operating Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$102,306$49.070%
Pharmaceuticals$96,288$46.060%
Financial Services$90,270$43.050%
Biotechnology$84,252$41.040%
Internet$81,243$39.035%

How Education impacts a Stationary Operating Engineer II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Stationary Operating Engineer IIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Stationary Operating Engineer II with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $58,383 and $63,872).

Stationary Operating Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Stationary Operating Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 34.5%
High School 34.5%
Associates 41.4%
Bachelors 20.7%
Masters 3.4%
Doctorate 0.0%

Stationary Operating Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Stationary Operating Engineer II'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 September 01, 2026
$57,500
Average $60,180/year
$65,980
$4,792
Average $5,015/month
$5,498
$1,106
Average $1,157/week
$1,269
$28
Average $29/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,980 $5,498 $1,269 $32
Average $60,180 $5,015 $1,157 $29
25th Percentile $57,500 $4,792 $1,106 $28

Stationary Operating Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Stationary Operating Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Boiler Operator III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $68,100 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Stationary Operating Engineer II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Stationary Operating Engineer II

Here are companies hiring for Stationary Operating Engineer II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Stationary Operating Engineer II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Stationary Operating Engineer II?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Stationary Operating Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 70% above the market median.

2. Where do stationary engineers make the most money?

Stationary engineers earn a salary range from $54,110 to $73,260, with a median of $63,990. The highest paying cities include San Francisco, CA, where hourly wages can reach approximately $51.91, followed by San Jose, CA at $49.03. Other notable cities are Bethesda, MD at $40.10 and Sacramento, CA at $37.80.

3. What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Engineers typically do not make $200,000 a year in roles like Stationary Operating Engineer, where salaries range from $54,110 to $73,260. Positions such as Mechanical Engineer or AI Software Engineer may offer higher salaries, but reaching $200,000 is uncommon for these roles. Consider exploring specialized fields or advanced positions for higher earning potential.

4. What is another name for a stationary engineer?

A stationary engineer, also known as an operating engineer, power engineer, or process operator, is a skilled professional responsible for operating, troubleshooting, and overseeing industrial machinery and equipment that generate and utilize energy. The salary for this role ranges from $54,110 to $73,260, with a median salary of $63,990.

5. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA typically work in fields like Computer Engineering, earning an average of $140,830 annually. In contrast, Stationary Operating Engineers have a salary range with a minimum of $54,110, a mid-point of $63,990, and a maximum of $73,260. This highlights the significant salary differences across engineering disciplines.

6. Is there a shortage of operating engineers?

Yes, there is a shortage of operating engineers. A 2020 report from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation highlighted an acute shortage in the industry for mid-range skills, including operating engineers. With salaries ranging from $54,110 to $73,260, the demand for skilled professionals in this field continues to grow, emphasizing the need for training and recruitment.

7. Can an engineer make $500,000?

Can a stationary operating engineer make $500,000? No, the salary range for stationary operating engineers typically falls between $54,110 and $73,260. While some specialized roles may offer higher pay, reaching $500,000 is not common in this field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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