Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers and other mechanical equipment that provide utilities for buildings or industry. They run and monitor heating, cooling and power equipment, and keep it maintained and safe. Building control systems help them watch more equipment. The hands-on work stays with people.
The short answer: this is hands-on plant work, and the BLS expects steady demand. The ILO's 2025 index rates steam engine and boiler operators as not exposed, with a score of 0.20. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent growth for stationary engineers and boiler operators from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 3,200 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed stationary engineers are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Engine and Boiler Operators | Not exposed | 0.20 |
The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots or automated machines.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary engineers and boiler operators | Grow 3% | About 3,200 |
The BLS says steam is an important and cost-effective way to fuel machinery and provide utilities in large facilities, and that these workers will still be needed for routine maintenance and to make sure equipment works properly. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Spotting unusual readings in equipment data as a starting point.
- Finding procedures in long equipment manuals.
- Drafting logs and maintenance reports.
What stays with stationary engineers
- Running equipment: starting, adjusting and shutting down boilers and engines.
- Maintenance: inspecting, repairing and replacing parts.
- Safety: handling pressure, heat and fuel without accidents.
- Checking AI help: generated procedures and readings can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
More buildings use computerized controls, so reading system data is part of the job alongside mechanical skills. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace boilermakers?, will AI replace HVAC technicians? and will AI replace power plant operators?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for stationary engineers and boiler operators at $78,620 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: high school diploma or equivalent. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace stationary engineers?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 3 percent growth for stationary engineers and boiler operators from 2025 to 2035.
How exposed are stationary engineers to AI?
The ILO rates steam engine and boiler operators as not exposed, with a score of 0.20.
How many openings are expected?
About 3,200 a year on average over the decade, according to the BLS.
Why does the BLS expect steady demand?
It says steam remains a cost-effective way to fuel machinery and provide utilities in large facilities, and equipment needs routine maintenance.