Boilermakers
Construction and Extraction
Work centers on constructing and maintaining stationary steam boilers and the equipment that supports them. The day involves reading blueprints to lay out plate and heavy metal, then aligning frames, tanks, or vats with levels, wedges, and turnbuckles. Parts are shaped on brakes, rolls, or drill presses; tube ends are beaded or welded so joints stay leakproof. Pressure tests, inspections of valves and fittings, and repairs to weak spots or leaks are routine. Suits people who like precise metalwork, following drawings closely, and diagnosing and fixing mechanical systems.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$76'410
Median Wage Market Position
$76'410
What you might do
- Assemble steel plates into boiler frames
- Read blueprints to size and place parts
- Check boilers for leaks and weak spots
- Pressure-test vessels after they are assembled
- Cut and shape heavy metal for fittings
- Weld tube ends to make joints leakproof
Skills that matter
- Inspecting boilers for leaks and defects
- Reading blueprints to place parts
- Welding tube ends for leakproof joints
- Running pressure tests on vessels
- Repairing valves, fittings, and controls
- Shaping heavy metal to fit the site
AI & the future of this role
Heavy fabrication, confined-space repair, and high-stakes safety judgment remain hard for machines to own. Digital blueprints may assist layout, but licensed craft skill and on-site liability tend to protect demand.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details