Boilermaker in Kansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Kansas employs 70 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $72,170 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Kansas (May 2025)
- Kansas median pay
- $72,170 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $56,290
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $93,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $96,230
- Employed in Kansas
- 70
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas
Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $72,170 median stretches to roughly $80,100 in national buying-power terms.
Kansas License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Kansas state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Kansas 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 Kansas state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Kansas
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Refining, power, and grain/ethanol processing 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 Kansas?
The median wage for boilermakers in Kansas is $72,170 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $56,290, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $96,230. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Kansas?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Kansas state license — union apprenticeship path. Kansas does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Kansas?
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), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Kansas 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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.