Boilermaker in Connecticut: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Connecticut employs 50 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $80,360 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Connecticut licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Connecticut (May 2025)
- Connecticut median pay
- $80,360 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $37,450
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $89,920
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $94,910
- Employed in Connecticut
- 50
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Connecticut
Prices in Connecticut run about 4% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,360 median is worth closer to $77,568 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Connecticut (2024–2034)
Connecticut is projected to grow boilermakers employment +14.1%, faster than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Connecticut License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Connecticut state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Connecticut 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 Connecticut state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Connecticut
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Power 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 Connecticut?
The median wage for boilermakers in Connecticut is $80,360 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,450, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $94,910. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Connecticut?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Connecticut state license — union apprenticeship path. Connecticut does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Connecticut?
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 Connecticut?
Connecticut projects boilermakers employment to change +14.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Connecticut statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Connecticut 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 Connecticut wages · Connecticut 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.