Boilermaker in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Boilermakers in Georgia earn a statewide median of $64,200, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Georgia (May 2025)
- Georgia median pay
- $64,200 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $43,180
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $76,770
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $81,700
- Employed in Georgia
- Not published (BLS suppressed)
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia
Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,200 median stretches to roughly $66,667 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)
Georgia is projected to grow boilermakers employment +3.5%, faster than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Georgia License and Certification Requirements
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no GA state license) — regulated by the No Georgia state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard.
- Georgia does not issue a boilermaker mechanic license. The entry path is the IBB JATC apprenticeship: 3–4 years, ~6,000 OJT hours with classroom training in welding, rigging, and pressure vessel assembly.
- Apprentices qualify for ASME Section IX pressure vessel welding. Georgia's boilermaker work centers on Georgia Power's fleet of generating stations, industrial plants, and paper/pulp mills throughout the state.
- The SAJAC (Southern Area Joint Apprenticeship Committee) serves the Southeast including Georgia — the application process and training are based in the region.
Official requirements: No Georgia state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard →
Training in Georgia
SAJAC (sajac-boilermakers.org) coordinates boilermaker apprenticeship applications across the Southeast, including Georgia. Georgia Power (Southern Company) and large industrial employers (Savannah industrial corridor, Augusta manufacturing belt) are the primary boilermaker employers in the state.
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 Georgia?
The median wage for boilermakers in Georgia is $64,200 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,180, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,700. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Georgia?
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no GA state license), overseen by the No Georgia state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard. Georgia does not issue a boilermaker mechanic license. The entry path is the IBB JATC apprenticeship: 3–4 years, ~6,000 OJT hours with classroom training in welding, rigging, and pressure vessel assembly.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Georgia?
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 Georgia?
Georgia projects boilermakers employment to change +3.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Georgia state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard (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 Georgia wages · Georgia 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.