Stationary Engineers

Employers

Stationary engineers hold about 32,520 jobs in the United States. They work in a wide variety of places, including factories, hospitals, airports, power plants, hotels, breweries, office and apartment buildings, schools, and shopping malls. Some are employed as contractors to a building or plant. They work throughout the country, generally in the more heavily populated areas where large industrial and commercial establishments are located.

Starting Out

If they do not start out as apprentices, stationary engineers often enter the field by working as a boiler tender or helper, or as a craftsworker in another field. Information about job openings, apprenticeships, and other training may be obtained through the local offices of the state employment service or the International Union of Operating Engineers. State and city licensing agencies can give details on local licensure requirements and perhaps possible job leads.