Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a stationary engineers and boiler operators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $112,230/year ($53.96/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $121K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $108,341 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,781/month, or 25.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $112K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About stationary engineers and boiler operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level stationary engineers and boiler operators (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $112K.Top earners bring in $121K or more - a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $112K | +49% | 1,670 |
| Wyoming | $110K | +47% | 120 |
| Hawaii | $100K | +33% | 90 |
| New York | $92K | +22% | 4,350 |
| Connecticut | $90K | +20% | 230 |
| Washington | $89K | +19% | 630 |
| District of Columbia | $89K | +19% | 410 |
| Alaska | $87K | +16% | 140 |
| Maryland | $83K | +10% | 1,170 |
| California | $78K | +4% | 7,800 |
| Michigan | $78K | +4% | 500 |
| Delaware | $78K | +4% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +2% | 580 |
| Nevada | $77K | +2% | 60 |
| New Jersey | $75K | -1% | 1,130 |
Track stationary engineers and boiler operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do stationary engineers and boiler operators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $112,230 a year - that works out to about $53.96 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,120, and experienced stationary engineers and boiler operators can clear $121,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $112K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,815/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 26.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a stationary engineers and boiler operators salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median stationary engineers and boiler operators salary is worth about $108,341 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do stationary engineers and boiler operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.