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.
National median · BLS
$76,410
▲ +4.19%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$80,090
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
10,190
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Boilermakers
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$50,490
25th
$64,760
Median (50th)
$76,410
75th
$95,430
90th — top pay
$110,370
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Boilermakers
BLS projects employment of boilermakers to decline 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 700 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
10,200 → 10,100
-200 jobs
Projected change
-1.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
700
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Apprenticeship
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
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Boilermakers salaries by metro area
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Metro area
Median
Jobs
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Boilermakers
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Operations Monitoring4.0
Operation and Control3.8
Critical Thinking3.5
Equipment Maintenance3.1
Quality Control Analysis3.1
Repairing3.1
Troubleshooting3.1
Active Learning3.0
Active Listening3.0
Complex Problem Solving3.0
Top knowledge areas
Mechanical4.2
English Language3.3
Mathematics3.2
Administration and Management2.9
Building and Construction2.8
Computers and Electronics2.6
Physics2.5
Engineering and Technology2.5
Software and technology used
Autodesk AutoCADMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSAP softwareHealth and safety training software
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What boilermakers do
Conduct pressure tests on vessels, such as boilers.
Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.
Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.
Lay out plate, sheet steel, or other heavy metal and locate and mark bending and cutting lines, using protractors, compasses, and drawing instruments or templates.
Bell, bead with power hammers, or weld pressure vessel tube ends to ensure leakproof joints.
Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.
Shape or fabricate parts, such as stacks, uptakes, or chutes, to adapt pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or piping to premises, using heavy-metalworking machines such as brakes, rolls, or drill presses.
Also called
Boiler MechanicBoiler Technician (Boiler Tech)BoilermakerBoilermaker MechanicBoiler InstallerBoiler RepairmanBoiler Service Technician (Boiler Service Tech)Boilermaker Pipe FitterBoilermaker WelderIndustrial Boiler Service Technician (Industrial Boiler Service Tech)
More job titles for this occupation (19)
AssemblerBoiler Control Technician (Boiler Control Tech)Boiler ErectorBoiler FitterBoiler MakerBoiler RelinerBoiler SetterBoiler Shop MechanicBoiler TesterBoiler WelderBoilerhouse MechanicBoilermaker FitterBoilermaker JourneymanErectorFitterIndustrial BoilermakerIndustrial Field Service BoilermakerLocomotive BoilermakerPressure Tester
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Boilermakers, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $76,410.
