Boilermaker Apprenticeship in Virginia

Wages, programs & career outlook

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.

VA Median Salary
$60,440/yr
-18% vs. national
National Median
$73,340/yr
VA Employment
200
Boilermakers employed
VA Sponsors
2
Registered programs
Training Term
4.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
-2.4%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
800
Nationally, per yr

Boilermaker Apprenticeship in Virginia: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered boilermaker apprenticeship in Virginia combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 4.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

Virginia pay vs. national

Median boilermaker wages in Virginia are $60,440/year, -18% below the national median of $73,340. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Virginia has 2 registered apprenticeship sponsors for boilermaker listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -2.4% job growth for boilermakers nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 800 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — Virginia-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Virginia Wage Spread

Annual wages for Boilermakers in Virginia across all experience levels.

10th pct
$42,320
Median
$60,440
90th pct
$74,320
Middle 50% of workers earn $49,760$70,180

Current Boilermaker Apprenticeship Openings in Virginia

No boilermaker apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Virginia. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Boilermaker Apprenticeship Sponsors in Virginia

2 boilermaker-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for Virginia. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current boilermaker apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
American Boiler, Inc Alexandria Fairfax County
Capitol Boiler Works Springfield Fairfax County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Boilermaker openings

Filter by occupation code 47-2011 and state VA for the most relevant results.

Boilermaker Apprenticeship in Virginia

Virginia has only 2 Boilermaker-adjacent registered sponsors in our directory — program slots may be competitive and early applications give the best shot at placement. Direct outreach to union halls in the state's largest cities often matters more than formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Boilermakers make in Virginia?
Boilermakers in Virginia earn a median salary of $60,440/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $73,340 for the trade.
How long is a Boilermaker apprenticeship?
Most Boilermaker apprenticeships run 4 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
What's the difference between a Boilermaker apprenticeship and trade school?
An apprenticeship lets you earn while you learn over 4 years with no tuition cost. Trade school is faster (6–24 months) but costs money upfront. Both can lead to the same journeyman credential.
Where can I apply for a Boilermaker apprenticeship in Virginia?
Contact one of the 2 Boilermaker-adjacent registered sponsors in Virginia (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
How much do Boilermaker apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $30,220/yr in Virginia). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Boilermaker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Virginia

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.