Career comparison
Boilermaker vs. Ironworker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Boilermakers earn more at the median ($76,410 vs. $62,780), while ironworkers usually get to work faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship) of training). Boilermakers build and repair boilers, tanks and pressure vessels in power plants and refineries. Ironworkers raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Boilermaker | Ironworker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,410 ($36.74/hr) | $62,780 ($30.18/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,490 – $110,370 | $44,580 – $108,260 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.8% (a projected decline) | +3.1% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 700 | 5,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–5 year apprenticeship | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | Boilermaker apprenticeship | Apprenticeship completion |
| Work setting | Boilermakers work in plants, refineries and shipyards, often in confined spaces and at heights.. | Ironworkers work outdoors at great heights on buildings, bridges and towers, in heat, cold and wind. |
What each job does
Boilermaker
- Read blueprints
- Fit steel plate and tube
- Weld
- Rig heavy components
- Repair boilers
Ironworker
- Read blueprints and erection drawings
- Signal cranes and rig steel members for lifting
- Guide beams and columns into position
- Bolt and weld connections
- Plumb and align steel frames
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, travel, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose boilermaker if…
- I like heavy industry
- I can weld
- I don’t mind heights or tight spaces
Choose ironworker if…
- I’m comfortable working at great heights
- I like physical, high-energy work
- I trust and depend on my crew
Still torn? Take the Boilermaker fit quiz and the Ironworker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, boilermaker or ironworker?
Boilermakers earn more at the median: $76,410 versus $62,780 for ironworkers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Ironworkers typically train faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship)) than boilermakers (4–5 year apprenticeship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects ironworkers to grow +3.1% from 2025–35, compared with -1.8% for boilermakers.