A boilermaker specializes in constructing, installing, and maintaining boilers, tanks, and other large vessels. Entry-level boilermakers earn $72,413 per year while experienced workers make up to $102,668 per year. Becoming a boilermaker requires physical strength, technical skills, and manual dexterity to weld, use tools, and perform rigging.
The first steps to become a boilermaker are researching the career to ensure it fits your interests and abilities. Then complete a four-year apprenticeship program to develop skills in areas like welding, metallurgy, and blueprint reading. Apprenticeships provide classroom instruction and hands-on training under the guidance of experienced boilermakers. Upon finishing the program and passing exams, apprentices earn the title of journeyman boilermaker.
Journeyman boilermakers can perform all aspects of the job, from fabricating pressure vessels to routine maintenance. The work frequently takes place in extreme environments like cramped, unsafe spaces. Boilermakers must have the capacity to lift hefty objects and utilize an assortment of hardware. The career offers good pay and steady demand for those willing to constantly improve their skills.