Boilermaker: career path and pay in the US
Where a Boilermaker goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Boilermaker / Apprentice to Boilermaker Contractor / Business Owner.
Also for the United Kingdom: Boilermaker in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Boilermaker / Apprentice
$50K to $75K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Apprenticeship Program (in progress) - US/UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global, Welding Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Boilermaker / Journeyman
$65K to $100K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Boilermaker Certification (optional) - Global, NVQ Level 3 Boilermaking - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Welding Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Master Boilermaker / Supervisor
$75K to $110K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Boilermaker Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Boilermaking - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Welding Certification - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Boilermaker Contractor / Business Owner
$105K to $155K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Boilermaker Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Boilermaking - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Welding Certification - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$50K to $75K → $105K to $155K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Boilermaker ($30.87); this band converts it at 40 hours a week. The published figure for Master Boilermaker sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Building and Construction
- Computers and Electronics
Education people bring
- Post-Secondary Certificate: 32%
- Some College Courses: 16%
- Post-Master's Certificate: 0%
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
- Welder
- Pipefitter
- General Contractor
- Industrial Maintenance
More Skilled Trades paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Millwrights, Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Engine and Other Machine Assemblers, Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.