Checked
Boilermakers Salary
Boilermakers earn a median $76,410 a year in the U.S., with 10,190 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $76,410 a year
- Employment
- 10,190
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- -1.8%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 700
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $76,410 · $36.74 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $80,090 · $38.50 an hour (estimate error ±1.5%)
- 10th percentile
- $50,490 · $24.28 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $64,760 · $31.13 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $95,430 · $45.88 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $110,370 · $53.06 an hour
- Employment
- 10,190 (estimate error ±5.3%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 10,200
- Projected for 2035
- 10,100
- Change
- -200 (-1.8%)
- Openings each year
- 700
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Self-employed
- Not reported
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $118,150 | 720 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $105,910 | 280 |
| 3 | New Mexico | $101,200 | 300 |
| 4 | Illinois | $99,730 | 110 |
| 5 | Michigan | $98,220 | Not reported |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $97,590 | 170 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $96,190 | 140 |
| 8 | Washington | $95,200 | 190 |
| 9 | Indiana | $91,410 | 170 |
| 10 | Colorado | $89,350 | 40 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,340 | $75,750 |
| Louisiana | 1,220 | $73,980 |
| California | 720 | $118,150 |
| New York | 410 | $84,770 |
| Florida | 400 | $69,790 |
| New Mexico | 300 | $101,200 |
| Ohio | 300 | $85,550 |
| Mississippi | 280 | $105,910 |
| New Jersey | 280 | $82,410 |
| Pennsylvania | 260 | $86,850 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $110,370 | 320 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh, PA | $91,420 | 100 |
| 3 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $86,910 | 140 |
| 4 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,420 | 330 |
| 5 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $77,290 | 120 |
| 6 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $77,090 | 1,170 |
| 7 | Baton Rouge, LA | $74,730 | 680 |
| 8 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $73,060 | 230 |
| 9 | Lafayette, LA | $70,720 | 110 |
| 10 | Corpus Christi, TX | $64,660 | 170 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,170 | $77,090 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 680 | $74,730 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 330 | $82,420 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 320 | $110,370 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 230 | $73,060 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 170 | $64,660 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 140 | $86,910 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 120 | $77,290 |
| Lafayette, LA | 110 | $70,720 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 100 | $91,420 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 90 | $109,640 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 90 | $68,350 |
Boilermakers pay by state
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Related occupations
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons
- Stonemasons
- Carpenters
- Carpet Installers
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
- Floor Sanders and Finishers
- Tile and Stone Setters
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
- Construction Laborers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Pile Driver Operators
Frequently asked questions
- How much do boilermakers make?
- The median wage for boilermakers in the U.S. is $76,410 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,760 and $95,430.
- Which state pays boilermakers the most?
- California has the highest median wage for this occupation at $118,150 a year.
- What is the job outlook for boilermakers?
- BLS projects employment to decline 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, with about 700 openings each year on average.
- What education do boilermakers need?
- The typical entry-level education is: high school diploma or equivalent.