Boilermaker in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Mississippi employs 280 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $105,910 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)
- Mississippi median pay
- $105,910 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $36,490
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $108,940
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $108,940
- Employed in Mississippi
- 280
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi
Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $105,910 median stretches to roughly $121,736 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)
Mississippi is projected to shrink boilermakers employment -7.1%, slower than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Mississippi License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Mississippi state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Mississippi 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 Mississippi state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Mississippi
High pay, and Mississippi's refining/Gulf Coast industry means steady turnaround and shutdown work. Travel is common.
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 Mississippi?
The median wage for boilermakers in Mississippi is $105,910 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $36,490, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $108,940. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Mississippi?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Mississippi state license — union apprenticeship path. Mississippi does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Mississippi?
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 Mississippi?
Mississippi projects boilermakers employment to change -7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Mississippi 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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.