Boilermaker Salary 2025: $76,410 Median – Pay by State, How to Start, & Shrinking Job Market
The median boilermaker earns $76,410 a year, or about $37 an hour. The middle 80% earn from $50,490 to $110,370, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not a bad paycheck for a trade that involves welding, riveting, and assembling massive pressure vessels.
How much Boilermakers earn
Average pay runs $80,090, with the highest 10% pulling in more than $110,370. Bottom earners see around $50,490. Pay bumps come with experience, travel, and the danger of the job – boilermakers regularly work at height, inside tanks, and on scaffolding.
Union membership helps: most boilermakers belong to the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, which negotiates strong wages on large industrial projects. Travel work pays extra, often per diem or double-time for remote sites.
Pay by state
Californians lead the pack at an annual mean of $118,150 – no surprise given the state's construction costs and industrial base. Mississippi ranks second at $105,910, followed by New Mexico ($101,200), Illinois ($99,730), and Michigan ($98,220).
Lower-paying states include Tennessee ($51,810), North Carolina ($49,720), and Maryland ($42,250). The gap reflects both cost of living and the concentration of heavy industry versus service-based economies.
How to become a Boilermaker
Getting in typically means a 4- to 5-year apprenticeship sponsored by a union or contractor. Apprentices learn welding, rigging, blueprint reading, and safety procedures while earning a percentage of journeyman pay.
No college degree required, but a high school diploma or GED is the standard minimum. Pre-apprenticeship programs at community colleges can help. After finishing, you must pass a welding certification test to qualify for most jobs.
Some boilermakers start as helpers or laborers on industrial sites, then work into an apprenticeship. Physical stamina and comfort with heights are musts – so is a clean drug test.
- Join a union-sponsored apprenticeship (4-5 years)
- Earn a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a welding certification test
- Gain strength, balance, and ability to work at heights
Job outlook
Employment is projected to shrink 2.4% from 2024 to 2034, meaning about 10,190 workers today will drop slightly. About 800 openings per year come from those retiring or leaving the trade.
Growth is limited as new power plants and factories get built less often. Replacement work on aging boilers and pressure vessels keeps the trade alive, especially in industrial corridors like the Gulf Coast and Midwest.
Frequently asked questions
Do boilermakers make good money?
Yes. Median pay is $76,410, well above the U.S. median. Top earners clear $110,000.
How long does it take to become a boilermaker?
A standard apprenticeship runs 4 to 5 years, combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
Is boilermaker a dying trade?
Not quickly – but the BLS projects a 2.4% decline over the next decade. About 800 new openings per year still exist.
What state pays boilermakers the most?
California, with an annual mean of $118,150. Mississippi and New Mexico also top $100k.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Boilermakers data.