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Salary comparison

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators out-earn First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators land at $78,620 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: stationary engineers and boiler operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is Illinois ($115,780); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$78,620
$74,450
Hourly rate
$37.8/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$50,590
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$125,390
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
28,250
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
2.2%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Illinois
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators median pay.

State
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Wyoming
$111,920
$90,390
Connecticut
$94,870
$83,150
New York
$94,070
$78,580
Washington
$91,530
$79,310
District of Columbia
$90,470
$80,030
Alaska
$88,330
$77,960
Maryland
$85,240
$78,520
Colorado
$81,310
$78,890
Massachusetts
$80,800
$79,920
Delaware
$77,630
$79,100
New Jersey
$76,560
$81,110
Minnesota
$75,850
$78,550
New Hampshire
$66,180
$79,310
Rhode Island
$63,330
$81,650
Maine
$62,910
$78,970

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators earn more nationally. The median is $78,620 for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators has the better 10-year outlook at 2.2% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators get paid the most?

Illinois is the top-paying state for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators at $115,780/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Wyoming, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators earn $111,920 vs. $90,390 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a stationary engineers and boiler operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →