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:
Stationary Operating Engineer II Salaries by Percentile
| 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 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 10.08% |
| Water Treatment | 3.21% |
| Pneumatics | 1.21% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Program Management | $69,809 | |
| Coordination | $64,994 | |
| Scheduling | $63,189 |
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.
| 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 |
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).
| 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% |
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.
| 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 |
Next Role
Advancement
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.
Salaries for a Stationary Operating Engineer II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,330 in 2023 to around $49,031 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Stationary Operating Engineer II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $49,330 |
| 2024 | $49,344 |
| 2025 | $49,031 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Stationary Operating Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 70% above the market median.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: