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The differences between stationary engineers and engine room operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a stationary engineer and an engine room operator. Additionally, a stationary engineer has an average salary of $69,163, which is higher than the $37,546 average annual salary of an engine room operator.
The top three skills for a stationary engineer include HVAC, preventive maintenance and plumbing. The most important skills for an engine room operator are troubleshoot, math, and safety procedures.
| Stationary Engineer | Engine Room Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $69,163 | $37,546 |
| Hourly rate | $33.25 | $18.05 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 5,010 | 61,977 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Stationary Engineers are employees who are trained to operate machines and equipment. They mainly operate mechanical equipment, boilers, steam engines, and other stationary engines. They are also trained to conduct maintenance checks and basic repairs on such equipment. Stationary Engineers should be able to read gauges on the machines and assess the fuel levels. They are expected to monitor the machines and equipment and to track the operations. They are also expected to record and document the performance of the equipment. Sationary Engineers should know how to test the quality of the machines' outputs. This would help them manage the equipment.
An Engine Room Operator is one who operates and monitors the engines of a ship. This person is responsible for inspecting the engine, managing its operation, and reporting immediately any problems and requests for repairs, troubleshoots, and upgrades for the engine. The maintenance inside the engine room is essential for the continued operation of the ship. Included in the responsibilities is ensuring the engine area's safety and its personnel from any problems, such as fires, preventable mishaps, and accidents.
Stationary engineers and engine room operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Stationary Engineer | Engine Room Operator | |
| Average salary | $69,163 | $37,546 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $107,000 | Between $28,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | New York | - |
| Best paying company | UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a stationary engineer and an engine room operator in terms of educational background:
| Stationary Engineer | Engine Room Operator | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between stationary engineers' and engine room operators' demographics:
| Stationary Engineer | Engine Room Operator | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% | Male, 55.7% Female, 44.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 7.7% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |