# Boilermakers

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/boilermakers
- SOC code: 47-2011.00
- Career family: Construction and extraction
- Median annual pay: $76,410 (10th percentile $50,490, 90th percentile $110,370)
- Projected growth: Decline, -1.8%
- Openings a year: 700
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 22 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 45 |

## What you'd do

- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 78/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 74/100)
- Getting Information (importance 74/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 69/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 68/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 68/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 67/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 64/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 62/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 60/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking, Equipment Maintenance, Quality Control Analysis, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Active Learning, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

Mechanical, English Language, Mathematics, Administration and Management, Building and Construction, Computers and Electronics, Physics, Engineering and Technology, Design, Customer and Personal Service

## Also called

Assembler, Boiler Control Technician (Boiler Control Tech), Boiler Erector, Boiler Fitter, Boiler Installer, Boiler Maker, Boiler Mechanic, Boiler Reliner, Boiler Repairman, Boiler Service Technician (Boiler Service Tech)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- Boilermaking/Boilermaker (CIP 4808, 4 colleges)

## Related careers

- [Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters): $63,800 median pay
- [Millwrights](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/millwrights): $65,700 median pay
- [Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/helpers-pipelayers-plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters): $42,360 median pay
- [Engine and Other Machine Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engine-and-other-machine-assemblers): $53,710 median pay
- [Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/stationary-engineers-and-boiler-operators): $78,620 median pay
- [Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aircraft-structure-surfaces-rigging-and-systems-assemblers): $65,380 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.