Welder
Join and cut metal with MIG, TIG and stick welding for construction and manufacturing.
- $53,750
- 3–18 months
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Boilermaker
Also called: Boiler Mechanic · Boilermaker Welder · Pressure Vessel Fitter · Tank Builder
What boilermakers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a boilermaker do?
Boilermakers construct, assemble, maintain and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries, as well as large tanks and vats. The median pay is $76,410 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–5 year apprenticeship, and employment is projected to grow -1.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$76,410$36.74/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-1.8%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year700Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train4–5 year apprenticeshipTypical program length
- U.S. jobs10,200Employment, 2025
What boilermakers do
Boilermakers work on giant steel equipment. They assemble, weld and repair boilers, tanks, pressure vessels and stacks in power plants, refineries, chemical plants and ships, often during plant outages.
A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical. BLS projects slight decline, but outage work pays very well.
Typical duties
- Read blueprints
- Fit steel plate and tube
- Weld
- Rig heavy components
- Repair boilers
- Test pressure vessels
- Work outages
Work environment and schedule
Boilermakers work in plants, refineries and shipyards, often in confined spaces and at heights.
Schedule: Long outage shifts and travel are common.
A day in the life
- Outage safety briefing.
- Enter the boiler.
- Cut out failed tubes.
- Fit new tubes.
See a full day in the life of a boilermaker →
Boilermaker salary
Half of boilermakers earned more than $76,410 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $50,490 for the lowest 10% to $110,370 for the top 10%.
Full boilermaker pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a boilermaker
- Finish high school
- Learn welding basics
- Apply for an apprenticeship
- Complete training
- Become a journeyman
A high school diploma and a boilermaker apprenticeship are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a boilermaker →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Welding
- Rigging
- Blueprint reading
- Fitting
- Cutting
People skills
- Stamina
- Teamwork
- Safety focus
- Problem-solving
All boilermaker skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- High pay
- Union benefits
- Overtime
- Skilled trade
Cons
- Travel
- Confined spaces
- Heat and heights
- Gaps between jobs
Certifications and licenses
- Boilermaker apprenticeship: Union or employer.
- AWS or ASME welding certifications: Required for welding.
- Rigging certification: Helpful.
- Confined space training: Required.
Career path
- Apprentice: Entry.
- Journeyman: Skilled.
- Foreman: Lead.
- General Foreman: Lead outages.
Learn the job before day one
Our Boilermaker training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as replace a boiler tube and rig a heavy component, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Boilermaker vs. Welder · Boilermaker vs. Ironworker · Boilermaker vs. Plumber · Boilermaker vs. Rigger
Boilermaker FAQ
Do boilermakers travel?
Often, for outages.
Is pay good?
Yes, especially with overtime.
Do I need an apprenticeship?
Usually.
How much does a boilermaker make?
The median annual wage for boilermakers was $76,410 ($36.74 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $50,490 and the highest 10% earned more than $110,370.
How long does it take to become a boilermaker?
Most people need about 4–5 year apprenticeship of training. A high school diploma and a boilermaker apprenticeship are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a boilermaker?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2011 (Boilermakers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Boilermakers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.