Boilermaker

Explore This Path

Ideal for those who love hands-on work and building complex structures.
Ensure the safety and efficiency of essential industrial systems.
Master the art of assembling and repairing massive steam boilers.

💰 Earn $79K-$117K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 -1.2% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.

Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.
Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.
Bolt or arc weld pressure vessel structures and parts together, using wrenches or welding equipment.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Shaky (Decreasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

1,000 Annually

Median Earnings

$111,320 in California

$71,140 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Boilermaker? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@dylandillinger_

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Repairing
Speaking
Troubleshooting

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Boilermaker

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years