How much does a boilermaker make?
The median boilermaker in the United States earns $76,410 per year, about $36.74 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all boilermakers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2011.
Boilermaker salary range
Pay for boilermakers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,490 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $110,370. The average (mean) wage of $80,090 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,490 | $24.28 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $64,760 | $31.13 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,410 | $36.74 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $95,430 | $45.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $110,370 | $53.06 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for boilermakers (SOC 47-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Boilermaker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Boilermakers earn the most in California at $118,150 a year, and the least in Maryland at $42,250. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $118,150 | 720 |
| Mississippi | $105,910 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $101,200 | 300 |
| Illinois | $99,730 | 110 |
| Michigan | $98,220 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $97,590 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $96,190 | 140 |
| Washington | $95,200 | 190 |
| Indiana | $91,410 | 170 |
| Colorado | $89,350 | 40 |
| Idaho | $88,400 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,850 | 260 |
| Ohio | $85,550 | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $85,470 | 60 |
| New York | $84,770 | 410 |
| Iowa | $82,470 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $82,410 | 280 |
| Connecticut | $80,360 | 50 |
| Missouri | $78,550 | 100 |
| Arizona | $77,940 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $77,900 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $77,750 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $76,810 | 50 |
| Texas | $75,750 | 2,340 |
| South Carolina | $74,840 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $74,810 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $73,980 | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $72,170 | 70 |
| Florida | $69,790 | 400 |
| Virginia | $67,540 | 150 |
| Georgia | $64,200 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $63,850 | 30 |
| Alabama | $63,570 | 180 |
| Nevada | $61,430 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $51,810 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $49,720 | 150 |
| Maryland | $42,250 | 30 |
State median wages for boilermakers (SOC 47-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for boilermakers
The BLS projects employment of boilermakers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 700 openings a year for boilermakers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a boilermaker
The typical entry-level education for boilermakers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a boilermaker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $118,150) and the lowest (Maryland, $42,250) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 10,190 people work as boilermakers in the United States. At $76,410 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Boilermaker salary FAQ
How much does a boilermaker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a boilermaker is $36.74. The middle half of boilermakers earn between $31.13 and $45.88 per hour.
What is the highest boilermaker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of boilermakers earn more than $110,370 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a boilermaker make a year?
The median annual salary for a boilermaker is $76,410. The average (mean) wage of $80,090 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a boilermaker a well paid job?
At $76,410 a year, a boilermaker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 10,190 people work as boilermakers in the United States.
Which state pays boilermakers the most?
California has the highest median salary for boilermakers at $118,150 a year. Mississippi ($105,910) and New Mexico ($101,200) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a boilermaker a good career?
Employment of boilermakers is projected to shrink 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a boilermaker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for boilermakers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Construction & Trades salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.