To become a boilermaker you usually need a high school diploma, then you complete an apprenticeship that typically lasts 4 years in the US, after which you're a journey-level worker. Welding experience improves your chances of being accepted. In Canada, boilermaker is a Red Seal trade designated in ten provinces.
Boilermakers build, install and repair boilers, closed vats and other large vessels that hold liquids and gases, from power station boilers to storage tanks and dams. It's heavy, skilled, often high-up work, and the pay reflects that.
I've used three official sources, all read as of October 2026: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) profile for boilermakers, the Red Seal Program's boilermaker page, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's boilermaker trade profile.
Boilermaker pay and jobs in the US
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training | Apprenticeship |
| Median pay (May 2025) | $76,410 a year |
| Lowest 10% earned less than | $50,490 |
| Highest 10% earned more than | $110,370 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 10,200 |
| Projected change, 2025 to 2035 | Decline of 2% |
| Openings each year | About 700 |
These are BLS figures as published as of October 2026. Apprentices earn less than fully trained boilermakers and get pay increases as they learn more skills.
The apprenticeship route, step by step
- Finish high school. BLS says a diploma or equivalent is generally required.
- Get welding experience. Applicants with welding or related experience, such as from the military, may get priority, and some may qualify for a shorter apprenticeship.
- Apply for an apprenticeship. Unions and contractor associations run most programs.
- Train for about 4 years. You'll learn tools and equipment, metals, installation techniques, blueprint reading and sketching, and safety practices.
- Check licensing. Some states require boilermakers to have a license, usually involving work experience and an exam.
Why welders have an edge
This is the shortcut many people miss. BLS says some boilermakers enter apprenticeships after working as pipefitters, millwrights, sheet metal workers or welders, because the core training is similar. If you're not accepted first time, a welding job can make your next application much stronger.
My guide on how to become a welder covers that route, and how to become a pipefitter explains a closely related trade.
Where boilermakers work and what they earn
Utility system construction is the biggest employer, with 21% of jobs. In May 2025 BLS reported these medians by industry:
| Industry | Median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Utility system construction | $80,060 |
| Other building equipment contractors | $79,110 |
| Nonresidential building construction | $74,960 |
| Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors | $73,150 |
| Fabricated metal product manufacturing | $63,760 |
Construction and utility work pays more than factory fabrication, but it usually means more travel between sites.
Becoming a boilermaker in Canada
In Canada, boilermaker is a Red Seal trade. The Red Seal Program says it was designated in 1976 and is designated Red Seal in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Its National Occupational Classification code is 72103, and New Brunswick and Ontario use the title construction boilermaker.
Training lengths differ by province. Newfoundland and Labrador lists a term of 3 years and 5400 hours, with three levels of in-school training of 8 weeks each. The Red Seal page notes that a new occupational standard has been published and new exams based on it are being developed, so check the current exam before you book.
Red Seal describes the scope widely: boilermakers construct, fabricate, weld, install, maintain, repair and test pressure vessels, heat exchangers, steam generators, boilers, tanks, furnaces, reactors, water towers, penstocks and stacks, in industries from shipbuilding to hydro, nuclear and thermal power generation.
What the work is like
BLS is clear that this is physically demanding. You'll often work in cramped spaces inside boilers, vats or tanks that can be dark, damp, noisy and poorly ventilated, and outdoors in all weather. Because dams, boilers and pressure vessels are large, you may work hundreds of feet above the ground.
Safety gear is part of every shift: hardhats, earplugs, safety glasses and other protective equipment, plus a respirator in enclosed spaces. Most boilermakers work full time, and schedules can vary with the project.
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The outlook, honestly
BLS projects a 2% decline in jobs from 2025 to 2035. That sounds worrying, but it still expects about 700 openings a year, all from people retiring or changing careers. A small trade with steady replacement demand can be a good bet if you're willing to travel for work.
Is it the right trade for you?
Here's a quick test. You'll enjoy boilermaking if you're comfortable with heavy tools, you don't mind getting dirty, and heights don't bother you. It's less suited to you if you can't stand confined spaces or you'd rather stay in one workplace, because boilermakers often move from site to site as projects finish.
Physical fitness matters too. You'll lift, climb and work in awkward positions, and BLS says workers must follow strict safety procedures and stay mindful of dangers to themselves and their coworkers. If that sounds like you, it's a trade that rewards people who don't mind hard work.
One more tip: when you apply, list any welding, rigging or metal fabrication work you've done, even short jobs. Programs that rank applicants look for exactly that kind of related experience, and it's the easiest way to move up the list.
The neighbouring trade has its own route, set out in how to become an ironworker.
My verdict
If you like heavy, hands-on work and don't mind heights or confined spaces, boilermaking pays well for a trade you can enter with a high school diploma. Get some welding experience, apply to a union or contractor apprenticeship, and commit to the 4 years. In Canada, aim for your Red Seal so your ticket travels between provinces.
If you like precision metalwork, read how to become a machinist.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a boilermaker apprenticeship?
In the US, BLS says apprenticeships typically last 4 years. In Newfoundland and Labrador the apprenticeship term is 3 years and 5400 hours.
Do you need welding experience to become a boilermaker?
It isn't required, but BLS says applicants with welding or related experience may get priority and may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship.
How much do boilermakers make?
BLS reported a median of $76,410 a year in May 2025, as of October 2026. The highest 10% earned more than $110,370.
Is boilermaker a Red Seal trade?
Yes. The Red Seal Program lists boilermaker as designated Red Seal in ten provinces, with National Occupational Classification code 72103.
