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The differences between stationary engineers and shift engineers 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 a shift engineer. Additionally, a shift engineer has an average salary of $91,237, which is higher than the $69,163 average annual salary of a stationary engineer.
The top three skills for a stationary engineer include HVAC, preventive maintenance and plumbing. The most important skills for a shift engineer are HVAC, preventive maintenance, and plumbing.
| Stationary Engineer | Shift Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $69,163 | $91,237 |
| Hourly rate | $33.25 | $43.86 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 5,010 | 31,693 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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.
A shift engineer conducts maintenance operations and ensures a company's engineering policies are upheld. They supervise a team, perform preventative maintenance, take orders, keep records, and control inventory. This position requires good communication skills, time management skills, and previous experience in the field.
Stationary engineers and shift engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Stationary Engineer | Shift Engineer | |
| Average salary | $69,163 | $91,237 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $107,000 | Between $64,000 And $128,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital | Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a stationary engineer and a shift engineer in terms of educational background:
| Stationary Engineer | Shift Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Heating And Air Conditioning | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between stationary engineers' and shift engineers' demographics:
| Stationary Engineer | Shift Engineer | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% | Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5% |
| 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, 10.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |