Boilermaker in Arkansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Arkansas employs 50 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $76,810 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)
- Arkansas median pay
- $76,810 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $60,790
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $114,120
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $114,130
- Employed in Arkansas
- 50
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas
Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $76,810 median stretches to roughly $88,389 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)
Arkansas is projected to shrink boilermakers employment -9.2%, slower than the -2.9% projected nationally.
Arkansas License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Arkansas state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Arkansas does not license boilermakers.
- Apply to a Boilermakers local lodge apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn).
- Complete ~4–5 years of on-the-job training plus classroom.
Official requirements: No Arkansas state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Arkansas
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Power, paper mills, and heavy industry are the employers.
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want strong union wages and are comfortable with industrial environments, heights, and confined spaces.
Think twice if: Extreme heat, industrial noise, physical intensity, and travel to job sites sound unappealing.
Why it's resilient: Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
First Steps
Contact the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) for apprenticeship openings in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do boilermakers make in Arkansas?
The median wage for boilermakers in Arkansas is $76,810 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,790, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $114,130. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Arkansas?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Arkansas state license — union apprenticeship path. Arkansas does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Arkansas?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Is Boilermaker a growing career in Arkansas?
Arkansas projects boilermakers employment to change -9.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Arkansas state license — union apprenticeship path (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arkansas wages · Arkansas licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.