Skilled Trade Profile

Boilermaker

Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and pressure vessels — precision metalwork that keeps power plants, refineries, and ships running.

$63,420
Avg. Annual Wage
$38.5K–$98.9K
Typical Range
HS Diploma
Education Needed
High Demand
Hiring Outlook

01 About the Job

Boilermakers construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. They align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints — using hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, and turnbuckles. Boilermakers assist in testing assembled vessels, direct the cleaning of boilers and furnaces, and inspect and repair boiler fittings such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.

02 What You'll Do

03 Wages by Industry

Nonresidential Building Construction$58,280
Petroleum & Coal Products Manufacturing$57,980
Commercial & Industrial Machinery Repair$55,120
Other Specialty Trade Contractors$53,600
Ship & Boat Building$39,810
Architectural & Structural Metals Mfg.$33,900

04 Skills & Know-How

Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Building & Construction — Materials, methods, and tools involved in constructing or repairing structures.

Customer & Personal Service — Principles for assessing needs and meeting service quality standards.

Mathematics — Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and their practical applications.

Engineering & Technology — Applying technical principles to the design and production of goods.

Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges and indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking — Using logic to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of possible solutions.

Quality Control Analysis — Testing and inspecting products or processes to evaluate performance.

Operation & Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to others and asking questions to fully understand.

Equipment Maintenance — Performing routine maintenance and knowing when it's needed.

Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding how to fix them.

Ready to Build?

Start your path to becoming a Boilermaker — no four-year degree required.

Join the Trade
Join the Trade