Boilermakers assemble, install, and repair boilers and other large metal containers that hold liquids and gases. The work is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school diploma. Here is what the job involves, what it takes to succeed, and how to break in.
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Boilermakers construct and maintain the large metal vessels and systems that store and transport liquids and gases in industrial settings. You'll read blueprints and technical drawings, measure and cut metal parts, and use welding and other techniques to assemble components. The work involves inspecting equipment for defects, repairing mechanical systems when they fail, and operating tools and equipment safely on job sites. You'll make decisions about how to solve problems that come up during installation and maintenance, and you'll need to stay current with safety regulations and best practices in the field.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Boilermakers earn a median of $76,410 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 800 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most boilermakers start with a high school diploma or equivalent and then pursue on-the-job training through an apprenticeship program. These programs combine classroom instruction in mechanical systems, mathematics, and blueprint reading with paid hands-on experience. You'll learn welding, metal fabrication, and equipment operation from experienced boilermakers. The apprenticeship path typically takes several years and leads to journeyperson status. Some people enter through vocational or technical schools that offer boilermaking programs before or alongside apprenticeship training.
Apprenticeships and technical school programs are the main routes into this trade. Both have real advantages depending on your learning style and financial situation, so if you are weighing them, Pathly can map the boilermaker path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a boilermaker, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to hands-on work with mechanical systems and equipment. You think critically, solve problems methodically, and stay focused on detail and safety in a physical environment.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).