Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $115,780 a year ($55.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,260 for the top 10%. That is 47% higher than the national median of $78,620. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $115,780. There are 0.27 stationary engineers and boiler operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $110,200, close to the median.
Pay range for stationary engineers and boiler operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,320 | $37.66 |
| 25th percentile | $97,540 | $46.89 |
| Median | $115,780 | $55.66 |
| 75th percentile | $123,780 | $59.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,260 | $60.22 |
| Average (mean) | $110,200 | $52.98 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $115,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $117,590 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $85,180 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $79,160 | 120 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $78,820 | 150 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $78,800 | 30 |
| 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 or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Power Plant Operator | $123,540 | $59.40 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $111,370 | $53.54 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $80,660 | $38.78 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,650 | $20.99 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Machinist | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Baker | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $41,160 | $19.79 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for stationary engineers and boiler operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $115,780 a year, or $55.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,320 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of stationary engineers and boiler operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,320 a year, and a quarter of stationary engineers and boiler operators earn $97,540 or less.
How many stationary engineers and boiler operators work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,210 stationary engineers and boiler operators are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.