Life As a Boilermaker
Boilermaker Definition 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.
Daily Life Of a Boilermaker
- Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.
- Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.
- Shape seams, joints, or irregular edges of pressure vessel sections or structural parts to attain specified fit of parts, using cutting torches, hammers, files, or metalworking machines.
- 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.
- Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.
- Bell, bead with power hammers, or weld pressure vessel tube ends to ensure leakproof joints.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Boilermaker?
When polled, Boilermakers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Types of Boilermaker Jobs
- Boiler Mechanic
- Boiler Setter
- Boiler Installer
- Boiler Fitter
- Boiler/Chiller Technician
Job Demand for Boilermakers
There were about 17,200 jobs for Boilermaker in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,500 new jobs for Boilermaker by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,900 positions for Boilermaker per year.
The states with the most job growth for Boilermaker are Arizona, Connecticut, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Mississippi, Idaho, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Boilermaker Make?
The salary for Boilermakers ranges between about $37,610 and $89,940 a year.
Boilermakers who work in Kentucky, North Dakota, or Pennsylvania, make the highest salaries.
How much do Boilermakers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,540 |
| Arizona | $60,740 |
| Arkansas | $47,500 |
| California | $70,120 |
| Colorado | $70,520 |
| Connecticut | $68,250 |
| Florida | $59,240 |
| Georgia | $62,070 |
| Illinois | $69,030 |
| Indiana | $71,600 |
| Kentucky | $76,340 |
| Louisiana | $60,720 |
| Maryland | $61,910 |
| Massachusetts | $64,610 |
| Michigan | $71,930 |
| Minnesota | $64,360 |
| Missouri | $51,420 |
| Montana | $65,250 |
| Nebraska | $76,620 |
| Nevada | $38,930 |
| New Jersey | $68,640 |
| New Mexico | $60,310 |
| New York | $69,820 |
| North Carolina | $62,370 |
| North Dakota | $81,500 |
| Ohio | $71,840 |
| Oklahoma | $54,610 |
| Oregon | $61,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,380 |
| South Carolina | $60,590 |
| Tennessee | $66,380 |
| Texas | $57,480 |
| Utah | $60,290 |
| Virginia | $57,310 |
| Washington | $65,900 |
| West Virginia | $68,270 |
| Wisconsin | $58,020 |
| Wyoming | $69,440 |
What Tools & Technology do Boilermakers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Boilermakers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computer aided design CAD software
- SAP software
How to Become a Boilermaker
What education is needed to be a Boilermaker?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Boilermakers Sector
Below are examples of industries where Boilermakers work:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Boilermaker might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Boilermaker in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Phasmatisnox via Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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