Boilermaker Salary
Boilermakers earn a median $76,410 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What boilermakers 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.8% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 700
Employment of boilermakers is projected to shrink 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Boilermaker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,980
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,737
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,108
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$62,584
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,490 | $24.27 | $42,749 |
| 25th percentile | $64,760 | $31.13 | $54,215 |
| Median (50th) | $76,410 | $36.74 | $62,584 |
| 75th percentile | $95,430 | $45.88 | $75,965 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,370 | $53.06 | $86,475 |
Boilermaker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118,150 | +9.8% | $83,654 | $83,960 – $136,900 | 720 |
| Mississippi | $105,910 | — | $79,833 | $36,490 – $108,940 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $101,200 | +59.4% | $76,396 | $62,160 – $119,550 | 300 |
| Illinois | $99,730 | +4.6% | $74,198 | $83,690 – $117,270 | 110 |
| Michigan | $98,220 | +47.8% | $74,004 | $48,430 – $107,150 | — |
| Wisconsin | $97,590 | +0.2% | $73,693 | $60,090 – $103,060 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $96,190 | −6.4% | $71,482 | $67,050 – $110,840 | 140 |
| Washington | $95,200 | −16.5% | $75,803 | $62,260 – $127,040 | 190 |
| Indiana | $91,410 | +9.5% | $70,470 | $63,450 – $116,690 | 170 |
| Colorado | $89,350 | +2.7% | $68,465 | $81,390 – $96,150 | 40 |
| Idaho | $88,400 | +23.3% | $67,442 | $70,010 – $118,560 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,850 | −1.0% | $67,263 | $60,380 – $104,360 | 260 |
| Ohio | $85,550 | +39.1% | $67,444 | $48,120 – $105,440 | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $85,470 | +21.2% | $68,958 | $42,210 – $97,100 | 60 |
| New York | $84,770 | +12.9% | $64,485 | $60,590 – $136,540 | 410 |
| Iowa | $82,470 | +20.6% | $64,366 | $64,030 – $88,280 | 50 |
| New Jersey | $82,410 | +2.3% | $63,746 | $49,010 – $115,270 | 280 |
| Connecticut | $80,360 | −6.0% | $62,518 | $37,450 – $94,910 | 50 |
| Missouri | $78,550 | +25.7% | $61,335 | $49,450 – $124,790 | 100 |
| Arizona | $77,940 | +2.9% | $61,921 | $63,450 – $84,160 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $77,900 | +2.4% | $63,633 | $49,900 – $153,230 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $77,750 | — | $60,574 | $46,200 – $85,600 | — |
| Arkansas | $76,810 | +2.7% | $60,083 | $60,790 – $114,130 | 50 |
| Texas | $75,750 | +18.0% | $62,120 | $57,610 – $100,170 | 2,340 |
| South Carolina | $74,840 | −39.8% | $58,147 | $71,800 – $77,000 | — |
| Kentucky | $74,810 | +2.0% | $58,958 | $59,760 – $87,920 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $73,980 | −3.1% | $59,042 | $63,390 – $77,290 | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $72,170 | — | $56,374 | $56,290 – $96,230 | 70 |
| Florida | $69,790 | +30.0% | $57,927 | $48,040 – $72,800 | 400 |
| Virginia | $67,540 | +11.7% | $53,275 | $41,350 – $78,520 | 150 |
| Georgia | $64,200 | +1.5% | $51,056 | $43,180 – $81,700 | — |
| West Virginia | $63,850 | +3.6% | $51,341 | $38,630 – $92,080 | 30 |
| Alabama | $63,570 | +0.6% | $50,345 | $48,290 – $79,400 | 180 |
| Nevada | $61,430 | −16.1% | $51,539 | $54,200 – $93,480 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $51,810 | +4.0% | $43,809 | $47,130 – $110,660 | 180 |
| North Carolina | $49,720 | +8.7% | $40,655 | $40,900 – $79,770 | 150 |
| Maryland | $42,250 | −30.8% | $34,485 | $34,450 – $73,840 | 30 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrazzo Worker and Finisher | $76,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | -13.0% |
| Pile Driver Operator | $73,300 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.7% |
| Taper | $68,270 | No formal educational credential | -1.6% |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.8% |
| Electrician | $63,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $62,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a boilermaker make?
The national median salary for boilermakers is $76,410 a year ($36.74 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,490 and the top 10% earn over $110,370. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays boilermakers the most?
California has the highest median pay at $118,150.
How many boilermakers are there in the U.S.?
About 10,190 people work as boilermakers nationwide.