Career comparison
Boilermaker vs. Plumber
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. $63,800), while plumbers usually get to work faster (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) of training). Boilermakers build and repair boilers, tanks and pressure vessels in power plants and refineries. Plumbers install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Boilermaker | Plumber | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,410 ($36.74/hr) | $63,800 ($30.67/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,490 – $110,370 | $44,150 – $108,420 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.8% (a projected decline) | +6.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 700 | 42,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–5 year apprenticeship | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | Boilermaker apprenticeship | Journeyman plumber license |
| Work setting | Boilermakers work in plants, refineries and shipyards, often in confined spaces and at heights.. | Plumbers work in homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. |
What each job does
Boilermaker
- Read blueprints
- Fit steel plate and tube
- Weld
- Rig heavy components
- Repair boilers
Plumber
- Read blueprints and plan pipe layouts
- Install water supply, drain, waste and vent piping
- Set and connect fixtures, water heaters and appliances
- Locate and repair leaks, clogs and broken pipes
- Test systems for pressure and leaks
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and travel. 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 plumber if…
- I like fixing things and figuring out what’s wrong
- Dirty or messy work doesn’t bother me
- I’m comfortable working in tight spaces
Still torn? Take the Boilermaker fit quiz and the Plumber fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, boilermaker or plumber?
Boilermakers earn more at the median: $76,410 versus $63,800 for plumbers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Plumbers typically train faster (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)) than boilermakers (4–5 year apprenticeship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects plumbers to grow +6.8% from 2025–35, compared with -1.8% for boilermakers.