Boilermaker in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Indiana employs 170 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $91,410 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Indiana (May 2025)
- Indiana median pay
- $91,410 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $63,450
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $106,780
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $116,690
- Employed in Indiana
- 170
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana
Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $91,410 median stretches to roughly $97,974 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)
Indiana is projected to grow boilermakers employment +5.9%, 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.
Indiana License and Certification Requirements
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications — regulated by the No Indiana state individual boilermaker license required.
- Indiana does not require a state license for boilermakers. The primary path is an IBB (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers) Local Joint Apprenticeship: 4 years, approximately 6,000+ OJT hours.
- Apprenticeship covers boiler erection, pressure vessel maintenance, heat exchanger work, welding, and OSHA safety. ASME Section IX pressure vessel welding qualifications earned on the job.
- Contact IBB Local 374 (East Chicago/Gary) or IBB Local 101 (Indianapolis area) for apprenticeship applications. Steel mills and heavy industry in northwest Indiana, pharmaceutical and food processing plants statewide, and power generation facilities are major employers.
Official requirements: No Indiana state individual boilermaker license required →
Training in Indiana
Northwest Indiana (Gary, Hammond, East Chicago area) has one of the largest concentrations of steel manufacturing and heavy industry in the US — ArcelorMittal, US Steel, and related facilities create strong boilermaker demand. Pharmaceutical manufacturers (Eli Lilly, Roche Diagnostics in Indianapolis) and food processing plants statewide also employ boilermakers for maintenance outages.
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 Indiana?
The median wage for boilermakers in Indiana is $91,410 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,450, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $116,690. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Indiana?
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications, overseen by the No Indiana state individual boilermaker license required. Indiana does not require a state license for boilermakers. The primary path is an IBB (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers) Local Joint Apprenticeship: 4 years, approximately 6,000+ OJT hours.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Indiana?
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 Indiana?
Indiana projects boilermakers employment to change +5.9% 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), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Indiana state individual boilermaker license required (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 Indiana wages · Indiana 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.