Boilermaker in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Colorado employs 40 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $89,350 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Colorado (May 2025)
- Colorado median pay
- $89,350 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $81,390
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $94,930
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $96,150
- Employed in Colorado
- 40
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Colorado
Prices in Colorado run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $89,350 median is worth closer to $86,663 once higher local prices are factored in.
Colorado License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Colorado state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Colorado does not license boilermakers.
- Apply to a Boilermakers local lodge apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn).
- Complete roughly 4–5 years of on-the-job training plus related classroom instruction.
Official requirements: No Colorado state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Colorado
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Power plants, refineries, 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 Colorado?
The median wage for boilermakers in Colorado is $89,350 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $81,390, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $96,150. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Colorado?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Colorado state license — union apprenticeship path. Colorado does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Colorado?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Colorado statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Colorado 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 Colorado wages · Colorado licensing/certification source
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.