Boilermaker in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Minnesota employs 140 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $96,190 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)
- Minnesota median pay
- $96,190 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $67,050
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $105,430
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $110,840
- Employed in Minnesota
- 140
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for boilermakers in major Minnesota markets:
- Minneapolis
- $105,430
What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota
Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $96,190 median stretches to roughly $97,556 in national buying-power terms.
Minnesota License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Minnesota state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Minnesota 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 Minnesota state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Minnesota
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Power, refining, 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 Minnesota?
The median wage for boilermakers in Minnesota is $96,190 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $67,050, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $110,840. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Minnesota?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Minnesota state license — union apprenticeship path. Minnesota does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Minnesota?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Which Minnesota metros pay boilermakers the most?
Among Minnesota metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $105,430. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Minnesota 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 Minnesota wages · Minnesota 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.