Boilermaker Apprenticeship
Boilermakers build, install, and repair the large steel vessels that hold steam, water, gas, or other liquids under pressure — power plant boilers, refinery tanks, industrial piping. It's heavy work that often involves travel to job sites and welding in tight spaces.
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Boilermakers across all experience levels, nationwide.
Boilermaker Wages by State
Median annual wage for Boilermakers by state, sorted highest to lowest. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $124,400 | — |
| Washington | $113,970 | 150 |
| California | $107,600 | 690 |
| Minnesota | $102,730 | — |
| Wisconsin | $97,410 | 170 |
| Illinois | $95,340 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,710 | 460 |
| Colorado | $86,980 | — |
| Connecticut | $85,480 | 70 |
| Indiana | $83,500 | 200 |
| Montana | $83,200 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $80,560 | 310 |
| Louisiana | $76,320 | 1,620 |
| Wyoming | $76,050 | 110 |
| Arizona | $75,770 | — |
| New York | $75,060 | 120 |
| Arkansas | $74,780 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $73,340 | 300 |
| Nevada | $73,220 | 90 |
| Idaho | $71,700 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $70,530 | 40 |
| Iowa | $68,410 | — |
| Michigan | $66,440 | 500 |
| Texas | $64,190 | 2,440 |
| New Mexico | $63,480 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $63,310 | 40 |
| Georgia | $63,240 | 230 |
| Alabama | $63,220 | 240 |
| Missouri | $62,490 | — |
| West Virginia | $61,660 | 40 |
| Ohio | $61,520 | 210 |
| Maryland | $61,030 | 80 |
| Virginia | $60,440 | 200 |
| Florida | $53,690 | — |
| Tennessee | $49,810 | 290 |
| North Carolina | $45,760 | 160 |
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.