Chief Engineer, Data Center Salary
This is the Data Center Headhunters salary guide.
BLS does not measure Chief Engineer, Data Center as its own occupation, so this page uses Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators (SOC 51-8021, broader occupation). The median annual wage in the United States was $78,620 (BLS, May 2025), and the middle half earned $63,160 to $101,150.
This is what we do all day: recruit data center professionals.
Broader occupation
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is a broader occupation based on the work described, not a separate data center wage series. BLS does not distinguish this title, experience level, shift, credentials or data center employers. Confirm the actual duties before using this comparison.
National pay range
| Point | Annual wage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,590 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $63,160 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $78,620 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $101,150 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $125,390 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $83,960 | Average wage. |
| Point | Hourly wage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24.32 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $30.37 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $37.8 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $48.63 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $60.28 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $40.37 | Average wage. |
What BLS wages include: base pay plus any guaranteed or production-based incentive pay. What they leave out: overtime, discretionary bonus, benefits, per diem and relocation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-8021 Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators, United States. View this release at BLS.
Pay relative to all occupations
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| This occupation, median | $78,620 |
| All occupations (SOC 00-0000), median | $50,980 |
| Relative wage | 1.54 times |
A ratio of 1.00 means the same median as all workers in the area. It is arithmetic on two BLS medians, not a BLS statistic.
Pay in industries that hire this occupation
| Industry (BLS name) | NAICS | Employment | Share of occupation | Median | P25 to P75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Support Services | 561200 | 910 | 3.2% | $87,010 | $71,410 to $102,000 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | 550 | 1.9% | $79,660 | $73,090 to $84,730 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 221100 | 450 | 1.6% | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS to Not published by BLS |
| Engineering Services | 541330 | 90 | 0.3% | $93,830 | $78,980 to $108,050 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | 90 | 0.3% | $93,830 | $78,980 to $108,050 |
These national industry rows cover privately owned establishments. Industry names are exact BLS NAICS titles. Industries overlap, so shares do not sum to 100%. An industry row does not mean the employer runs data centers.
Pay in target metros
| Metro area | Median | P25 to P75 | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $91,480 | $79,430 to $101,520 | 970 | 1.7 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $70,560 | $59,080 to $87,110 | 340 | 0.47 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $83,350 | $75,410 to $115,800 | 40 | 0.09 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $71,850 | $71,150 to $85,570 | 110 | 0.21 |
| Columbus, OH | $79,680 | $65,440 to $82,150 | 120 | 0.6 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,780 | $97,540 to $123,780 | 1,210 | 1.48 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,170 | $86,400 to $148,280 | 210 | 1.04 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $81,250 | $80,050 to $99,470 | 100 | 0.45 |
Location quotient measures job concentration, not pay. A value above 1 means the occupation makes up a larger share of local jobs than it does nationally. It says nothing about wages.
Highest and lowest paying metros
Ranked by published median annual wage among 110 metro areas with an exact median.
| Rank | Metro area | Median | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $129,930 | 980 | 2.27 |
| 2 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,170 | 210 | 1.04 |
| 3 | Vallejo, CA | $123,170 | 110 | 4.33 |
| 4 | Springfield, IL | $117,590 | 60 | 3.46 |
| 5 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,780 | 1,210 | 1.48 |
| 6 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $112,250 | 210 | 0.56 |
| 7 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $104,810 | 3,810 | 2.21 |
| 8 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $103,690 | 50 | 1.03 |
| 9 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $103,380 | 80 | 3.58 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $103,060 | 40 | 0.47 |
| Rank | Metro area | Median | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Glens Falls, NY | $61,050 | 40 | 4.05 |
| 102 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $60,230 | 110 | 0.53 |
| 103 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $57,320 | 40 | 0.28 |
| 104 | Lubbock, TX | $54,470 | 30 | 1.09 |
| 105 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $54,380 | 50 | 0.78 |
| 106 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $53,640 | 50 | 1.84 |
| 107 | Springfield, MO | $51,090 | 30 | 0.82 |
| 108 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $50,060 | 60 | 0.69 |
| 109 | Baton Rouge, LA | $46,590 | 70 | 0.98 |
| 110 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $43,490 | 30 | 2.22 |
Location quotient measures job concentration, not pay. A value above 1 means the occupation makes up a larger share of local jobs than it does nationally. It says nothing about wages.
Where pay is highest relative to local wages
This compares the occupation's median with the all-occupations median in the same metro and on the same annual basis. It does not adjust for living costs. Only exact published medians are ranked. A top-coded lower bound cannot establish an exact rank.
| Metro | Occupation median | All-occupations median | Ratio | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $117,590 | $52,670 | 2.23 times | 60 | 3.46 |
| El Centro, CA | $96,150 | $45,140 | 2.13 times | 40 | 3.42 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $103,690 | $48,990 | 2.12 times | 50 | 1.03 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,780 | $54,720 | 2.12 times | 1,210 | 1.48 |
| Vallejo, CA | $123,170 | $58,620 | 2.10 times | 110 | 4.33 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $94,100 | $47,470 | 1.98 times | 110 | 1.8 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $57,320 | $29,440 | 1.95 times | 40 | 0.28 |
| Fresno, CA | $87,140 | $46,910 | 1.86 times | 120 | 1.43 |
| Lima, OH | $85,930 | $47,170 | 1.82 times | 30 | 3.6 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $103,380 | $57,290 | 1.80 times | 80 | 3.58 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $103,060 | $57,220 | 1.80 times | 40 | 0.47 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $87,170 | $48,400 | 1.80 times | 370 | 1.2 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $90,830 | $51,440 | 1.77 times | 30 | 1.06 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $92,420 | $52,510 | 1.76 times | 70 | 1.2 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $85,180 | $48,550 | 1.75 times | 40 | 1.31 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $129,930 | $74,260 | 1.75 times | 980 | 2.27 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $104,810 | $61,430 | 1.71 times | 3,810 | 2.21 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $85,690 | $50,770 | 1.69 times | 70 | 3.38 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $87,700 | $52,080 | 1.68 times | 220 | 0.63 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $99,840 | $59,750 | 1.67 times | 520 | 2.67 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $78,800 | $48,370 | 1.63 times | 30 | 0.24 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $83,350 | $51,380 | 1.62 times | 40 | 0.09 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $79,160 | $49,340 | 1.60 times | 120 | 0.59 |
| Reno, NV | $79,110 | $49,660 | 1.59 times | 50 | 0.94 |
| Mankato, MN | $78,610 | $49,530 | 1.59 times | 40 | 3.62 |
Location quotient measures job concentration, not pay. A value above 1 means the occupation makes up a larger share of local jobs than it does nationally. It says nothing about wages.
Source: BLS OEWS BLS, May 2025, SOC 51-8021 and SOC 00-0000, matching metro areas. The ratio is our arithmetic on those published medians, not a BLS statistic.
Change since the prior BLS release
| Reference period | Median |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | $75,190 |
| May 2025 | $78,620 |
| Difference | +$3,430 (+4.6%) |
Two published BLS values, shown as released. Not annualized, not adjusted for inflation, and BLS metro boundaries and survey panels can differ between releases.
Levels above and below this title
These are different jobs, not experience bands within one occupation. The figures are not a promised raise.
| Title | Relationship | BLS occupation | Median | Against Chief Engineer, Data Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Environment Electrician | Frontline title | 47-2111 Electricians | $63,190 | Lower by $15,430 |
| UPS and Critical Power Technician (site-based) | Frontline title | 49-2095 Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | $103,020 | Higher by $24,400 |
| Maintenance Manager, Critical Facilities | Same job ladder | 11-3013 Facilities Managers | $106,660 | Higher by $28,040 |
| Senior NOC Technician / NOC Shift Lead | Same job ladder | 15-1231 Computer Network Support Specialists | $76,220 | Lower by $2,400 |
| Critical Facilities Manager | Higher-scope title | 11-3013 Facilities Managers | $106,660 | Higher by $28,040 |
| Regional Critical Facilities Manager | Higher-scope title | 11-3013 Facilities Managers | $106,660 | Higher by $28,040 |
Assistant Chief Engineer, Data Center map to the same BLS occupation, so BLS shows one set of figures for the whole ladder. Level is not a BLS dimension.
What is inside the BLS pay figure
For an operations offer, check what the quoted pay already includes. BLS includes on-call pay but excludes shift differentials. Do not add on-call pay twice when comparing the offer.
| Component | In the BLS figure? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Base rate and guaranteed pay | Included | BLS counts the "base rate" and "guaranteed pay". |
| Production and incentive pay | Included | BLS counts "incentive pay including commissions and production bonuses". |
| On-call pay matters here | Included | BLS lists "on-call pay" and "hazardous-duty pay" as wages. |
| Overtime pay | Left out | BLS excludes "overtime pay". Straight-time pay only. |
| Shift differentials matters here | Left out | BLS excludes "shift differentials", so night and weekend premiums are not in the figure. |
| Project-completion and discretionary bonuses | Depends on the terms | Guaranteed pay and production incentives are included. Discretionary nonproduction bonuses are excluded. Check how the payment is defined. |
| Per diem, travel and relocation | Left out | BLS does not name these as wages. They are expense reimbursements and are not in the figure. |
| Benefits and employer costs | Left out | BLS excludes "employer costs for supplementary benefits". |
Recruiter's read
Qualitative, not from BLS data.
Chief Engineer, Data Center candidates are usually screened on owns maintenance program and vendors; Uptime Tier or M&O exposure; CMMS (e.g. Maximo); stationary engineer license where a city requires it.
We usually find them through colo and enterprise sites; hospital and Class A chief engineers with critical load exposure. We contact working people directly rather than relying on job applications.
Questions
What is the median pay for Chief Engineer, Data Center?
The BLS median annual wage for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators nationally is $78,620 (BLS, May 2025).
What range do most Chief Engineer, Data Center earn?
Per BLS, the middle half earned $63,160 to $101,150, and 10% earned less than $50,590.
Is this the exact job title?
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is a broader occupation based on the work described, not a separate data center wage series. BLS does not distinguish this title, experience level, shift, credentials or data center employers. Confirm the actual duties before using this comparison.
How many people are employed in this occupation?
BLS estimates 28,250 jobs nationally in Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators across all industries.
What do BLS wages leave out?
They leave out overtime, shift differentials, discretionary bonus, benefits, per diem and relocation. Base pay, guaranteed pay, on-call pay and production-based incentive pay are included.
Hiring Market Brief
A one-page brief for Chief Engineer, Data Center: BLS pay, mapping and caveats.
Hiring Chief Engineer, Data Center?
Pay is one input. Scope, license and travel decide whether the person says yes.
Related
What the published rows say about Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States
Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States is represented here by Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators, SOC 51-8021, in the May 2025 OEWS release. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, data Center Headhunters uses the broader crosswalk for this title; the occupation row, rather than a separate survey of Chief Engineer, Data Center, supplies the figures on this page. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, the published annual median is $78,620 and the middle-half endpoints are $63,160 and $101,150.
The Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States middle-half band spans $37,990 on the annual basis. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, its lower quarter-to-median distance is $15,460, compared with $22,530 from the median to the upper quarter. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, the upper interval is at least as wide as the other interval in this row. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, for an offer against this Chief Engineer, Data Center crosswalk, these are published reference points, not experience grades; the width does not establish a reason for differences between individual workers.
Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States can also be compared with New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where the annual median for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is $104,810 in May 2025. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, this comparison metro is selected by published occupation employment, not by a national geographic distance. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, the Chief Engineer, Data Center crosswalk comparison differs by $26,190 from the the United States median.
Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States can also be compared with Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where the annual median for Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators is $74,420 in May 2025. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, this comparison metro is selected by published occupation employment, not by a national geographic distance. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, the Chief Engineer, Data Center crosswalk comparison differs by $4,200 from the the United States median.
Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States has no local industry-by-occupation wage breakdown in the loaded OEWS rows. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, the highest published national industry medians loaded for SOC 51-8021 are Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors at $145,950 and Finance and Insurance at $123,160. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, these May 2025 observations describe the national Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators occupation in those industries, not the pay of data center employers in the United States; they cannot support a local industry ranking.
The Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States matched median changed from $75,190 in May 2024 to $78,620 in May 2025, a difference of $3,430 up. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, both observations use SOC 51-8021, area code 99 and the same annual wage basis. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, this Chief Engineer, Data Center comparison reports the released values without adjusting for inflation, annualizing the change or attributing it to a particular employer.
Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States uses the OEWS straight-time wage definition, not a complete cost-to-employ budget. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, for an offer mapped to Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators, separate overtime, shift differentials and expense reimbursements from the annual figures for the United States; BLS excludes those categories. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, on-call pay, guaranteed pay and production incentives are included under the wage definition. For Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States, no Chief Engineer, Data Center-specific per diem, travel allowance or relocation amount is observed in this row, so this May 2025 page adds no dollar allowance on top.
Questions about Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States
Which BLS row supports Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States?
Chief Engineer, Data Center is mapped to SOC 51-8021, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators; the May 2025 the United States annual median is $78,620. The mapping is broader, not a separate survey of this niche title.
Does the the United States figure show all offer costs for Chief Engineer, Data Center?
Chief Engineer, Data Center pay in the United States uses straight-time OEWS wages. Overtime and shift differentials are excluded; on-call and guaranteed pay are included. No allowance for travel or relocation is added to this 51-8021 observation.
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- methodology
Nearest-area selection uses Census Gazetteer internal points, not road distance. Source: 2025 Census Gazetteer.