Boilermaker Apprenticeship
Salary, outlook & programs across 36 states
Median Salary
$73,340/yr
National median
Job Growth
-2.4%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
800
New + replacement
Typical Term
4.0 yrs
Time-Based
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Boilermakers across all experience levels, nationwide.
10th %ile
$48,390
25th %ile
$62,230
Median
$73,340
75th %ile
$93,520
90th %ile
$107,600
Boilermaker Wages by State
Median annual wage for Boilermakers by state, sorted highest to lowest.
| State | Median Wage | vs. National | Employment | Sponsors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $124,400 | +70% | — | 1114 |
| Washington | $113,970 | +55% | 150 | 434 |
| California | $107,600 | +47% | 690 | 1375 |
| Minnesota | $102,730 | +40% | — | 495 |
| Wisconsin | $97,410 | +33% | 170 | 1308 |
| Illinois | $95,340 | +30% | 150 | 959 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,710 | +20% | 460 | 1844 |
| Colorado | $86,980 | +19% | — | 963 |
| Connecticut | $85,480 | +17% | 70 | 1711 |
| Indiana | $83,500 | +14% | 200 | 1307 |
| Montana | $83,200 | +13% | 60 | 776 |
| New Jersey | $80,560 | +10% | 310 | 2555 |
| Louisiana | $76,320 | +4% | 1,620 | 372 |
| Wyoming | $76,050 | +4% | 110 | 143 |
| Arizona | $75,770 | +3% | — | 669 |
| New York | $75,060 | +2% | 120 | 823 |
| Arkansas | $74,780 | +2% | 60 | 404 |
| Kentucky | $73,340 | 0% | 300 | 642 |
| Nevada | $73,220 | -0% | 90 | 119 |
| Idaho | $71,700 | -2% | 100 | 491 |
| New Hampshire | $70,530 | -4% | 40 | 647 |
| Iowa | $68,410 | -7% | — | 1537 |
| Michigan | $66,440 | -9% | 500 | 1559 |
| Texas | $64,190 | -12% | 2,440 | 1964 |
| New Mexico | $63,480 | -13% | 60 | 99 |
| Nebraska | $63,310 | -14% | 40 | 316 |
| Georgia | $63,240 | -14% | 230 | 568 |
| Alabama | $63,220 | -14% | 240 | 664 |
| Missouri | $62,490 | -15% | — | 1231 |
| West Virginia | $61,660 | -16% | 40 | 359 |
| Ohio | $61,520 | -16% | 210 | 805 |
| Maryland | $61,030 | -17% | 80 | 695 |
| Virginia | $60,440 | -18% | 200 | 2435 |
| Florida | $53,690 | -27% | — | 1447 |
| Tennessee | $49,810 | -32% | 290 | 802 |
| North Carolina | $45,760 | -38% | 160 | 1189 |
Boilermaker Apprenticeship Overview
At $73,340/yr median, the Boilermaker trade combines strong wages with a proven apprenticeship pathway — 4 years of paid on-the-job training with no tuition cost. The model hasn't changed because it works.
Looking ahead, Boilermaker employment is expected to grow -2.4% by 2034. About 800 openings per year — driven heavily by retirements in an aging workforce — keep demand for apprentices high.
Nationally, wages span from $48,390/yr at the 10th percentile to $107,600/yr at the 90th. Geography drives much of this spread — the same trade can pay 50%+ more in high-cost states compared to rural markets.
Other Apprenticeship Trades
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database.