How To Become A Stationary Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a stationary engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Stationary engineers operate and maintain stationary engines and mechanical equipment. They are tasked with recording data and adjusting manual controls. They also inspect the equipment at periodic intervals to detect malfunctions or the need for repair, adjustment, or lubrication. Stationary engineers earn an average salary of $62,000 annually or $29 per hour.

Stationary engineers work primarily with stationary equipment, hence the title. The equipment is somewhat similar to the ones found on ships or locomotives. Their duties include recording the operation and maintenance actions taken during the shift in the operator's logbook. They are required to work effectively with their hands and possess good mechanical skills to boot. Stationary engineers typically hold a bachelor's degree in any engineering field from an accredited university.

Although, a high school diploma or its equivalent can be used. Most employers require their candidates to possess in-depth knowledge about industrial mechanical systems and hands-on training. Some states also need stationary engineers to pass a written exam and log a certain number of hours to get a license.

ScoreStationary EngineerUS Average

Salary

5.4

Avg. Salary $69,163

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.7

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%

Asian 7.60%

Black or African American 10.99%

Hispanic or Latino 17.36%

Unknown 4.53%

White 59.07%

Gender

female 2.97%

male 97.03%

Age - 52

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52

Stress level

7.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a stationary engineer

Explore stationary engineer education requirements

Most common stationary engineer degrees

Associate

34.8 %

Bachelor's

21.0 %

High School Diploma

20.1 %

Start to develop specific stationary engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
HVAC	8.04%
Preventive Maintenance	6.18%
Plumbing	5.91%
Patients	5.09%
Air Compressors	4.97%

Complete relevant stationary engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New stationary engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a stationary engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real stationary engineer resumes.

Gain additional stationary engineer certifications

Stationary engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific stationary engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for stationary engineers include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Heating Professional.

More About Certifications

Research stationary engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage the uninterrupted operation of boilers and assist with operation and repair of plumbing and electrical.
Operate and maintain boilers, A/C repairs, chillers, plumbing, and electrical troubleshooting.
Assist all trades as needed in all aspects of building maintenance (HVAC, electrical, cosmetics, fire alarm).
Convert flush valves to electronic flush valves on urinals and toilets.

Prepare your stationary engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your stationary engineer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a stationary engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable stationary engineer resume templates

Build a professional stationary engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your stationary engineer resume.