Boilermaker

Boilermakers construct, assemble, maintain and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries, and align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints.

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demand
(through 2026)

high

time commitment

1 to 2 Years

average salary

$66251

job openings
(through 2026)

11,437

what you’ll do

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.
Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges,squares, transits, or measuring instruments.
Bolt or arc weld pressure vessel structures and parts together, using wrenches or welding equipment.

education & training required

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training. Boilermaker involves similar skills to welding and pipefitting. Training usually occurs on the job or through an apprenticeship program, technical school, community college or industry training program.

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