Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary in Illinois
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in Illinois earn a median of $115,780 a year ($55.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,260 for the top 10%. That is 47% higher than the national median of $78,620. Illinois ranks 1st of 51 states for stationary engineers and boiler operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.28 stationary engineers and boiler operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,410, close to the median.
Pay range for stationary engineers and boiler operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,270 | $34.74 |
| 25th percentile | $86,750 | $41.71 |
| Median | $115,780 | $55.66 |
| 75th percentile | $123,780 | $59.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,260 | $60.22 |
| Average (mean) | $106,410 | $51.16 |
Half of stationary engineers and boiler operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,648.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,824.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,453.08 |
| Weekly | $2,226.54 |
| Hourly | $55.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $117,590 | 60 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,780 | 1,210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $85,180 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $75,610 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for stationary engineers and boiler operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $115,780 |
| Wyoming | $111,920 |
| Hawaii | $103,400 |
| Connecticut | $94,870 |
| New York | $94,070 |
| Washington | $91,530 |
| California | $90,650 |
| District of Columbia | $90,470 |
| Alaska | $88,330 |
| Maryland | $85,240 |
See Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $67,810 | $32.60 |
| Power Plant Operator | $104,440 | $50.21 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $97,810 | $47.03 |
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $123,980 | $59.60 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,470 | $48.79 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Machinist | $58,520 | $28.13 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,320 | $24.67 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a stationary engineers and boiler operators make in Illinois?
The median salary for stationary engineers and boiler operators in Illinois is $115,780 a year, or $55.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid stationary engineers and boiler operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of stationary engineers and boiler operators in Illinois earn at least $125,260 a year. The top 25% earn $123,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for stationary engineers and boiler operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,270 a year, and a quarter of stationary engineers and boiler operators earn $86,750 or less.
How many stationary engineers and boiler operators work in Illinois?
About 1,680 stationary engineers and boiler operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.