Boilermakers

Also Called: Boiler Maker, Boiler Mechanic, Boiler Technician, Boilermaker

What Boilermakers do

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.

  • Attach rigging and signal crane or hoist operators to lift heavy frame and plate sections or other parts into place.
  • Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.
  • Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.
Industry Areas:

Advanced Manufacturing Automotive & Machine Repair Construction Renewable Resources and Energy

Training Program Areas:

Building Construction Technology • Facilities Maintenance • HVAC • OCT-Only Advanced Manufacturing • OCT-Only Construction • OCT-Only Renewable Resources & Energy • Petroleum Technician • Plumbing • Smart Meter & Instrumentation Technician • Solar Energy • Weatherization • Welding

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Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • Exposed to Contaminants
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  • Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

Tools

  • Hoists
  • Levels
  • Punches or nail sets or drifts
  • Blow torch
  • Power saws

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Computer based training software
Health and safety training software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Critical Thinking
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Quality Control Analysis

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
design
building and construction
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Business
customer service

Education

  • % Less than high school diploma
  • % Post-secondary certificate
  • % High school diploma or equivalent

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Persistence
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Independence

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Controlled Movement
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Verbal

This is what Boilermakers across the country typically make.

$23.81 / hour
$49,510 /year

Entry Level

$34.20 / hour
$71,140 /year

Median Level

$49.10 / hour
$102,120 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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