How much do boilermakers make in the US in 2026?

Which state is best for boilermakers?

Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.

Across 24 states: $42,250–$118,150 (median $80,480).

Boilermaker pay by state

Where is the union premium biggest for Boilermakers?

Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.

We don't have union scale data for Boilermaker across our states yet — these states are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Boilermaker.

Union landscape

Boilermaker work has a long history of collective bargaining, and some workers in this trade are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. However, TradesPays does not currently have union scale data for this trade in any of the 24 states we cover. That means we cannot tell you what a union scale rate looks like for this trade — not because the rates don't exist, but because we don't have them to report. What we can tell you is this: if you're working under a collective bargaining agreement, your actual hourly scale, fringe package, and overtime rules will come from your agreement — not from a BLS OEWS median. Those two numbers are measuring different things. The BLS figure blends union and non-union workers, full schedules and partial ones, across many employer types. Your agreement rate is a floor negotiated for specific conditions. If you want to know what the current scale is in your area, the right move is to contact your local directly. They hold the current agreement and can give you the actual numbers for your jurisdiction. TradesPays will add union scale data for this trade as we acquire it. Until then, we're not going to fill that gap with estimates or guesses.

What we don't track yet

Two gaps are worth being straight about so you don't read more into this page than the data supports. First, we don't have metro-level pay data for boilermakers. The state medians here — California at $118,150, Illinois at $99,730, Maryland at $42,250 — are statewide figures. They don't tell you what boilermakers earn in the Chicago metro versus downstate Illinois, or in the Bay Area versus the Central Valley. Metro-level variation can be significant in this trade, and statewide figures can mask it. We'll add metro-level breakdowns when we have data we trust. Second, we don't currently break out pay by tier — apprentice, journeyman, or master — beyond what union scale data would show. For workers progressing through an apprenticeship program, the statewide median is a rough benchmark at best. Your actual wage at each stage is set by your program's wage schedule, not by a blended OEWS figure. If you have data that could help fill these gaps — especially local wage rates, tier-by-tier pay scales, or metro-level figures you've verified — use the submission form on this page. Real numbers from workers and employers in the trade are how TradesPays gets more accurate over time.

Boilermaker pay: FAQ

What is the national median wage for boilermakers?

According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the national median annual wage for boilermakers is $76,410. Half of boilermakers earn above that figure, half below.

What do the 25th and 75th percentile wages mean for this trade?

The 25th percentile is $64,760 — meaning 25% of boilermakers earn less than that. The 75th percentile is $95,430 — meaning 25% earn more. If you're benchmarking your pay, these two numbers give you a realistic picture of where you sit in the national spread.

Which states pay boilermakers the most?

In our 24-state dataset, California leads at a state median of $118,150, followed by Illinois at $99,730 and Michigan at $98,220. These figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2025 state-level data, not metro-specific rates.

Why is there such a large gap between the highest and lowest state medians?

California at $118,150 versus Maryland at $42,250 is a gap of nearly $76,000. State-level medians blend industrial mix, cost of living, union density, and the specific types of employers hiring in that state. A state with heavy refinery or power-generation work will pull the median up; a state where boilermaker work skews toward lighter commercial work will pull it down.

Does TradesPays cover all 50 states for this trade?

No. We currently have state-level data for boilermakers in 24 states. We don't publish figures for states where we don't have data we can stand behind. Coverage will expand as reliable data becomes available.

Can I use these numbers to negotiate my pay?

They're a starting point, not a finish line. The BLS OEWS median blends union and non-union workers, multiple industries, and varying hours. When you walk into a negotiation, pair this data with what you know about your specific employer, the local labor market, and — if applicable — your collective bargaining agreement's current scale.

Why doesn't TradesPays show apprentice, journeyman, and master-level pay for boilermakers?

BLS OEWS data doesn't break wages out by apprenticeship tier, and we don't have union scale data for this trade in our states to fill that gap. We show the statewide medians honestly rather than invent tier splits. If your program has a published wage schedule, that document is more accurate for your situation than any blended figure.

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