Boilermaker in Maryland: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Maryland employs 30 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $42,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maryland licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Maryland (May 2025)
- Maryland median pay
- $42,250 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $34,450
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $57,480
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $73,840
- Employed in Maryland
- 30
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Maryland
Prices in Maryland run about 5% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $42,250 median is worth closer to $40,238 once higher local prices are factored in.
Maryland License and Certification Requirements
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications — regulated by the No Maryland state individual boilermaker license required.
- Maryland 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 are earned on the job.
- Contact IBB Local 193 (Baltimore/Maryland) for apprenticeship applications. Johns Hopkins, UMMS, and the state's large academic hospital campuses operate large central utility plants requiring boilermaker maintenance. Bethlehem Steel's legacy industrial base in Sparrows Point (now redeveloped) supported a strong boilermaker tradition in Baltimore.
Official requirements: No Maryland state individual boilermaker license required →
Training in Maryland
Maryland's large academic medical center campus utility systems — Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, University of Maryland Medical Center, and NIH's Bethesda campus — require ongoing boilermaker maintenance for steam systems and pressure vessels. Baltimore's industrial heritage (steel, shipping) supports an experienced boilermaker workforce. The Port of Baltimore and industrial facilities in the Baltimore metro area also create project boilermaker demand.
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 Maryland?
The median wage for boilermakers in Maryland is $42,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $34,450, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $73,840. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Maryland?
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications, overseen by the No Maryland state individual boilermaker license required. Maryland 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 Maryland?
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), Maryland statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Maryland 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 Maryland wages · Maryland 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.