Boilermaker in Iowa: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Iowa employs 50 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $82,470 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Iowa licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Iowa (May 2025)
- Iowa median pay
- $82,470 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $64,030
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $85,660
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $88,280
- Employed in Iowa
- 50
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Iowa
Prices in Iowa run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,470 median stretches to roughly $93,929 in national buying-power terms.
Iowa License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Iowa state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Iowa 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 Iowa state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Iowa
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Power, ethanol/ag-processing, 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 Iowa?
The median wage for boilermakers in Iowa is $82,470 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $64,030, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $88,280. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Iowa?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Iowa state license — union apprenticeship path. Iowa does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Iowa?
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), Iowa statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Iowa 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 Iowa wages · Iowa 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.