As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Stationary Operating Engineer I in the United States is $54,170. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $44,618 to a high of $64,028, with most professionals earning between $49,170 and $59,330.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $59,330 | $4,944 | $1,141 | $29 |
| Average | $54,170 | $4,514 | $1,042 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,170 | $4,098 | $946 | $24 |
An entry-level Stationary Operating Engineer I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $53,797. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $54,709. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $55,479. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $55,710, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $55,864.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Stationary Operating Engineer I | $53,797 |
| Intermediate Level Stationary Operating Engineer I | $54,709 |
| Senior Level Stationary Operating Engineer I | $55,479 |
| Specialist Level Stationary Operating Engineer I | $55,710 |
| Expert Level Stationary Operating Engineer I | $55,864 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Stationary Operating Engineer I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $45,410 in 2023 to approximately $45,534 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Stationary Operating Engineer I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
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Here are companies hiring for Stationary Operating Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $54,170 | 68.0% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,144 | 5.2% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,275 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,083 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 10.5% | ||
| Pension | $2,925 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $6,667 | 8.4% | ||
| Total Compensation | $79,617 | 100% | ||
The highest paying operating engineer positions typically offer salaries ranging from a minimum of $45,320 to a maximum of $58,930, with a median salary of $51,040. While specific industries may vary, these figures reflect the general compensation for stationary operating engineers across various sectors.
While various engineering fields offer high salaries, Stationary Operating Engineers earn between $45,320 and $58,930, with a median salary of $51,040. This is significantly lower than top-paying fields like Petroleum and Aerospace Engineering, which can exceed $100,000 annually.
Demand for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators is expected to rise, with approximately 32,030 new jobs anticipated by 2029, reflecting an annual growth of 0.88 percent. Salaries for Stationary Operating Engineers range from $45,320 to $58,930, with a median salary of $51,040. Join our career community today!
Operating engineers in the USA can earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $45,320, a mid-range of $51,040, and a maximum of $58,930 annually. Notable cities include New York, NY, where hourly wages reach $50.38, followed by Chicago, IL at $43.10, and Washington, DC at $42.97, reflecting the demand and compensation in these areas.
Yes, operating engineers are in demand. The job market for Operating Engineers and other Construction Equipment Operators is projected to grow, with an estimated 32,030 new positions expected by 2029. Salaries for Stationary Operating Engineers range from a minimum of $45,320 to a maximum of $58,930, with a median salary of $51,040.
Stationary engineers tend to earn the most in cities like San Francisco, CA, where hourly wages can reach approximately $51.91, translating to an annual salary around $108,000. Other high-paying areas include San Jose, CA, and Omaha, NE, with salaries ranging from $37,820 to $58,930 annually, depending on experience and location.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
