The median pay for Boilermakers is $76,410 a year ($36.74/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 1.8% through 2035, with about 700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-2011
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Boilermaker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $76,410a year, or $36.74/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $50KTop 10% $110K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -1.8%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−1.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −1.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 70010,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510.2K
- Projected 203510.1K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10.2K Projected 2035 10.1K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school52%
- Certificate32.1%
- Some college15.9%
Highest education held by boilermakers Segment Value High school 52% Certificate 32.1% Some college 15.9%
Also advertised as: Boiler Installer, Boiler Mechanic, Boiler Repairman, Boiler Service Technician (Boiler Service Tech), Boiler Technician (Boiler Tech), Boilermaker.
Pay
How much do Boilermakers make?
Every boilermaker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$76,410
Middle half earn $64,760 to $95,430
- 10th
- $50,490
- 25th
- $64,760
- 75th
- $95,430
- 90th
- $110,370
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,490 |
| 25th | $64,760 |
| Median | $76,410 |
| 75th | $95,430 |
| 90th | $110,370 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $76,410
- Median hourly wage
- $36.74/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $80,090
- People employed
- 10,190
Versus all US occupations
At $76,410, Boilermakers earn 50% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $25,430 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 27% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $110,370 or more while the bottom 10% earn $50,490, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 52% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($118,150), but once local prices are taken into account Mississippi leads at $121,801 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Boilermakers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $118,150 | $106,711 | 720 |
| 2Mississippi | $105,910 | $121,801 | 280 |
| 3New Mexico | $101,200 | $109,747 | 300 |
| 4Illinois | $99,730 | $99,772 | 110 |
| 5Michigan | $98,220 | $102,082 | N/A |
| 6Wisconsin | $97,590 | $103,714 | 170 |
| 7Minnesota | $96,190 | $97,535 | 140 |
| 8Washington | $95,200 | $88,961 | 190 |
| 9Indiana | $91,410 | $97,944 | 170 |
| 10Colorado | $89,350 | $86,704 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Boilermaker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -1.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Boilermakers | −1.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Boilermakers to change -1.8% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 700 openings are projected each year, 6.9% of the 10,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Boilers typically last for decades, but there will be an ongoing need for boilermakers to replace and maintain parts, such as boiler tubes, heating elements, and ductwork. Boilermakers will also continue to be needed to install new equipment, including boilers, pressure vessels, air pollution abatement equipment, and storage and process tanks.
However, the shift away from coal-fired electricity generation will reduce the need for boilermakers. Renewable photovoltaic and wind generation systems do not have boilers, and natural gas plants require less ongoing boiler maintenance than coal plants.
Getting in
How to become a Boilermaker
Most boilermakers learn their trade through an apprenticeship program.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Apprenticeship
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as boilermakers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)52%
- Post-Secondary Certificate32.1%
- Some College Courses15.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 52% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 32.1% |
| Some College Courses | 15.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Boilermaker do?
Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.
Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.
- Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.
- Conduct pressure tests on vessels, such as boilers.
- Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
- Clean pressure vessel equipment, using scrapers, wire brushes, and cleaning solvents.
- Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
- Install manholes, handholes, taps, tubes, valves, gauges, or feedwater connections in drums of water tube boilers, using hand tools.
- Bolt or arc weld pressure vessel structures and parts together, using wrenches or welding equipment.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most boilermakers work full time, and work schedules may vary. Boilermakers may experience extended periods of overtime when equipment is shut down for maintenance or repair, or when necessary to meet construction or production deadlines. In contrast, because most field construction and repair is contract work, there may be periods of unemployment upon completion of a contract.
Boilermakers may travel to worksites and be away from home for extended periods.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where boilermakers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Utility system construction21%
- Nonresidential building construction16%
- Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors12%
- Fabricated metal product manufacturing10%
- Other building equipment contractors4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Utility system construction | 21% |
| Nonresidential building construction | 16% |
| Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors | 12% |
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing | 10% |
| Other building equipment contractors | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Learning Strategies2.8
- Writing2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Operation and Control3.8
- Equipment Maintenance3.1
- Troubleshooting3.1
- Repairing3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Equipment Selection3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.1 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.1 |
| Repairing | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer based training software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Boilermaker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Boilermaker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.7
- Investigative2.3
- Artistic1.0
- Social1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Boilermaker
O*NET related occupations
- Construction and Extraction
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Construction and Extraction
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$42,360median a year
Most earn $34K to $58K
+2.4%High school - Production
- Production
- Production
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$65,380median a year
Most earn $47K to $108K
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More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with boilermakers highlighted
- Boilermaker$76,410
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Boilermaker | $76,410 |
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Boilermaker appears on
Questions
Boilermaker: frequently asked questions
How much do Boilermakers make?
Boilermakers earn a median of $76,410 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 50% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $36.74/hr. The middle half earn between $64,760 and $95,430. The top 10% earn $110,370 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Boilermaker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Boilermakers. BLS also lists apprenticeship as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 52.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Boilermaker a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 1.8% over 2025–2035, a loss of 200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Boilermaker do?
Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases. A core O*NET task: inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Boilermakers the most?
The highest state medians for Boilermakers are California ($118,150), Mississippi ($105,910), New Mexico ($101,200) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Mississippi moves to the top at $121,801.
What personality type suits a Boilermaker?
O*NET scores Boilermakers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.