Occupation · SOC 47-2011
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.
Median wage
$73,340
$48,390–$107,600
Projected growth
-2.9%
Declining
Annual openings
-20
per year
Employed (US)
10,170
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
13 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingReading ComprehensionMonitoringEquipment SelectionTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningActive LearningSpeakingWritingSocial PerceptivenessOperations AnalysisLearning StrategiesCoordinationInstructingService OrientationSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisNegotiationPersuasionMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstallationScienceManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgramming
Knowledge areas
MathematicsDesignBuilding and ConstructionProduction and ProcessingMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecuritySales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementPersonnel and Human ResourcesPhysicsChemistryAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguageLaw and GovernmentTransportationPsychologyBiologyCommunications and MediaMedicine and DentistryGeographyTherapy and CounselingTelecommunicationsSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADComputer aided design CAD softwareHealth and safety training softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSAP software
Representative tasks
Controlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsScheduling Work and ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationCoaching and Developing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesWorking with ComputersSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprint symbols and basic notation — recognize and interpret under direct supervision on a commercial boiler installation site.Pressure vessel surfaces — visually examine for obvious leaks, cracks, or weak spots following a checklist provided by a journeyman boilermaker.Straightedges, squares, and measuring tapes — use to locate and mark basic reference points on boiler foundations under close journeyman guidance.Protractors, compasses, and templates — apply to lay out cutting and bending lines on sheet steel plates with direct supervisor oversight.Hand tools and basic power tools — handle safely and store correctly at the end of each shift on an industrial job site.Assembled pressure vessel components such as tubes, fittings, and valves — assist in visual inspection routines under journeyman direction.Personal protective equipment and site safety protocols — follow consistently during all boilermaking tasks in a shop or field environment.Basic mechanical terminology — use correctly when communicating task progress or observations to a lead boilermaker on the work floor.Pressure test preparation steps — assist in setting up equipment and connecting gauges on vessels under direct journeyman instruction.Spreadsheet and word processing software — enter basic work order or inspection data accurately into provided templates in an office or field trailer setting.
developing
Boiler and pressure vessel blueprints — study and interpret independently to determine part locations, relationships, and dimensions on routine installation projects.Pressure tests on boilers and vessels — conduct following established procedures with minimal oversight, recording results accurately on inspection forms.Leaks, weak spots, and defective sections on boilers and pressure vessels — examine and identify using standard diagnostic methods during scheduled maintenance cycles.Tube ends on pressure vessels — bell, bead with power hammers, or weld to produce leakproof joints within accepted quality standards on repair assignments.Heavy-metalworking machines including brakes, rolls, and drill presses — operate to shape and fabricate parts such as stacks and chutes for routine vessel adaptation tasks.Plate and heavy sheet steel — lay out and mark bending and cutting lines using protractors, compasses, and drawing instruments with consistent accuracy on fabrication jobs.Reference points for columns and plates — locate and mark on boiler foundations using straightedges, transits, and measuring instruments in alignment with blueprint specifications.Individual vessel components including valves, controls, and auxiliary mechanisms — inspect after assembly to detect defects, documenting findings for supervisor review.Equipment maintenance schedules — follow and perform routine upkeep on boilermaking tools and machinery to prevent unplanned downtime on a construction site.CAD software and ERP systems — use at a basic level to retrieve drawings, log work orders, and track parts inventory in a shop or field office environment.
proficient
Complex boiler and pressure vessel blueprints — interpret autonomously to plan sequencing of fabrication, installation, and repair tasks across multi-phase industrial projects.Pressure vessel integrity — assess through full pressure testing cycles, troubleshoot anomalous readings, and recommend corrective actions without supervisory input.Defects in boilers, heat exchangers, and pressure tanks — diagnose root causes using deductive and inductive reasoning, distinguishing between weld failures, material fatigue, and corrosion on critical industrial systems.Precision layout of plate and heavy metal — execute using advanced instruments and custom templates to achieve tight dimensional tolerances on non-routine fabrication assignments.Custom parts such as stacks, uptakes, and chutes — fabricate and fit-up independently on heavy metalworking machines to adapt pressure systems to non-standard premises.Tube-end welding and beading operations — perform to code-compliant standards across varied joint configurations on high-pressure vessel repair and replacement jobs.Quality control analysis of completed assemblies — conduct systematic inspection routines, apply acceptance criteria, and generate detailed defect reports for engineering review.Troubleshooting on malfunctioning pressure vessel controls and auxiliary mechanisms — diagnose, repair, and verify resolution independently on live industrial maintenance shutdowns.Time and resource planning for boilermaking tasks — manage personal and small-team schedules to meet project milestones in time-critical plant turnaround environments.Judgment on weld procedure selection and equipment choices — apply industry codes and site conditions to select appropriate methods and tools for complex pressure system repairs.
advanced
Boilermaking competency frameworks and on-the-job training programs — develop and deliver to apprentices and journeymen across a multi-site construction and maintenance operation.Organizational quality assurance standards for pressure vessel fabrication and inspection — establish, implement, and audit to ensure compliance with ASME codes and regulatory requirements.Complex, non-routine pressure vessel failures — lead root-cause investigations, integrating mechanical knowledge, blueprints, and field evidence to direct enterprise-level corrective actions.Blueprint and specification review processes — oversee at the project leadership level, identifying design conflicts or constructability issues before fabrication begins on major industrial contracts.Capital equipment selection for heavy metalworking operations — evaluate and recommend brakes, rolls, welding systems, and inspection technology to optimize shop productivity and safety.Safety culture and risk management protocols — champion and enforce across work crews during large-scale plant shutdowns and new vessel installation projects.Cross-functional coordination among engineers, project managers, and inspection authorities — lead to align boilermaking scope, schedule, and quality requirements on multimillion-dollar industrial projects.ERP and CAD technology adoption — guide boilermaking teams in integrating digital tools into fabrication and maintenance workflows to improve accuracy and traceability across the organization.Industry knowledge and best practices — contribute to through participation in code committees, trade associations, or workforce development bodies representing the boilermaking profession.Workforce performance and professional growth — mentor senior journeymen and developing leads, providing structured feedback and stretch assignments to build organizational depth in boilermaking operations.
Also known as
29 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AssemblerBoiler Control Technician (Boiler Control Tech)Boiler ErectorBoiler FitterBoiler InstallerBoiler MakerBoiler MechanicBoiler RelinerBoiler RepairmanBoiler Service Technician (Boiler Service Tech)Boiler SetterBoiler Shop MechanicBoiler Technician (Boiler Tech)Boiler TesterBoiler WelderBoilerhouse MechanicBoilermakerBoilermaker FitterBoilermaker JourneymanBoilermaker MechanicBoilermaker Pipe FitterBoilermaker WelderErectorFitterIndustrial Boiler Service Technician (Industrial Boiler Service Tech)Industrial BoilermakerIndustrial Field Service BoilermakerLocomotive BoilermakerPressure Tester