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Trades & Construction

How to become a Boilermaker

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
4 years
Typical pay
$58k–$85k
Starting from
No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

See boilermaker jobs open now

The route

  1. Apply to a boilermaker apprenticeship

    Local 1st-year intakes run once or twice a year. Aptitude test, interview, and a physical.

  2. Start earning at apprentice scale

    Roughly half of journeyman rate, stepping up every six months or so.

    Typical titles at this level

    • Boilermaker apprentice
    • Helper

  3. Complete the classroom hours

    Rigging, layout, welding and pressure-vessel code, alongside full-time work.

    Course that covers thisIntroduction to Welding Technologies and ProcessesUdemy · around $29.99

  4. Pass your welding certifications

    Code welding tests are the gate to the best-paid work in this trade.

    ASME / AWS code welding qualification

  5. Turn out as a journeyman

    Much of the work is travel and shutdowns — high earnings, long stretches away.

  6. Destination

    Boilermaker

    Browse jobs now

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