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.
Boilermakers
SOC: 47-2011 O*NET: 47-2011.00
Median Salary
$73,340
per year
Job Growth
📉 -2.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Boilermakers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$48,390
10th percentile
Early Career
$62,230
25th percentile
Median
$73,340
50th percentile
Experienced
$93,520
75th percentile
Top Earners
$107,600
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$48,390
25th
$62,230
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$73,340
Mean: $76,900
75th
$93,520
90th
$107,600
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $59,210 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $62,230 and $93,520
- •Salary spread is 42.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 10,170 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:10,400
Top Industries
Construction68.7%
Specialty Trade Contractors30.4%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction25.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-2.4%
Annual Openings:800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)10,400
Current
2034 (Projected)10,100
-2.4%
-200
Employment Change
-2.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Boilermakers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 37 locations
Texas
2,440 jobs$64,1902.68x
Louisiana
1,620 jobs$76,32012.89x
California
690 jobs$107,6000.58x
Michigan
500 jobs$66,4401.72x
Pennsylvania
460 jobs$87,7101.15x
New Jersey
310 jobs$80,5601.10x
Kentucky
300 jobs$73,3402.28x
Tennessee
290 jobs$49,8101.35x
Mississippi
250 jobs$03.22x
Alabama
240 jobs$63,2201.71x
Georgia
230 jobs$63,2400.73x
Ohio
210 jobs$61,5200.58x
Indiana
200 jobs$83,5000.96x
Virginia
200 jobs$60,4400.73x
Wisconsin
170 jobs$97,4100.86x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Quality Control Analysis
80%
#5
Equipment Maintenance
74%
#6
Troubleshooting
66%
#7
Repairing
60%
#8
Active Listening
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Equipment Selection
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.0
80%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.7
74%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.3
66%
Repairing
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Listening
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Repairing
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Equipment Selection
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics100%
5 shared skills
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers82%
5 shared skills
Robotics Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines82%
5 shared skills
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Active Listening
- →Repairing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Equipment Maintenance
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Boilermakers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (18)
1
Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Bolt or arc weld pressure vessel structures and parts together, using wrenches or welding equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Bell, bead with power hammers, or weld pressure vessel tube ends to ensure leakproof joints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Lay out plate, sheet steel, or other heavy metal and locate and mark bending and cutting lines, using protractors, compasses, and drawing instruments or templates.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Install manholes, handholes, taps, tubes, valves, gauges, or feedwater connections in drums of water tube boilers, using hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Straighten or reshape bent pressure vessel plates or structure parts, using hammers, jacks, or torches.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Boilermakers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Boilermakers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Boilermakers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.60
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.44
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.27
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.27
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.13
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.6
Initiative
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Integrity
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Leadership
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Boilermakers.
Browse Training Programs →