Career comparison
Boilermaker vs. Rigger
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. $62,640), while riggers usually get to work faster (Months of training of training). Boilermakers build and repair boilers, tanks and pressure vessels in power plants and refineries. Riggers plan and rig heavy lifts for cranes, machinery moves and construction.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Boilermaker | Rigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,410 ($36.74/hr) | $62,640 ($30.12/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,490 – $110,370 | $40,680 – $97,850 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.8% (a projected decline) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 700 | 1,700 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–5 year apprenticeship | Months of training |
| Key credential | Boilermaker apprenticeship | NCCCO Rigger Level I and II |
| Work setting | Boilermakers work in plants, refineries and shipyards, often in confined spaces and at heights.. | Riggers work on construction sites, plants and ports.. |
What each job does
Boilermaker
- Read blueprints
- Fit steel plate and tube
- Weld
- Rig heavy components
- Repair boilers
Rigger
- Plan lifts
- Calculate weights
- Select rigging
- Attach loads
- Signal operators
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work 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 rigger if…
- I like math and physics
- I stay calm
- I communicate clearly
Still torn? Take the Boilermaker fit quiz and the Rigger fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, boilermaker or rigger?
Boilermakers earn more at the median: $76,410 versus $62,640 for riggers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Riggers typically train faster (Months of training) than boilermakers (4–5 year apprenticeship).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects riggers to grow +3.9% from 2025–35, compared with -1.8% for boilermakers.