Back to the national Boilermaker profile

Boilermaker in New Jersey: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

New Jersey employs 280 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $82,410 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

What Boilermakers Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)

New Jersey median pay: $82,410 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $49,010
Experienced (75th percentile): $91,010
Top earners (90th percentile): $115,270
Employed in New Jersey: 280
U.S. median (for comparison): $72,280 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for boilermakers in major New Jersey markets:

Philadelphia: $86,910 (140 employed)
New York–Newark: $82,420 (330 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,410 median is worth closer to $75,744 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to shrink boilermakers employment -2.6%, about in line with the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no NJ state license) — regulated by the No New Jersey state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard.

New Jersey does not issue a boilermaker mechanic license. The entry path is the IBB JATC apprenticeship: 3–4 years, ~6,000 OJT hours with classroom training in welding, rigging, and pressure vessel assembly.
Earn ASME Section IX pressure vessel welding qualification. NJ's boilermaker work includes power plant maintenance (PSEG, NJ's major utility), industrial chemical and refinery facilities along the Hudson/Raritan corridor, and commercial high-rise steam systems in the NYC metro.
NJ's Northeast Apprenticeship Committee coordinates boilermaker training in the region.

Official requirements: No New Jersey state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard →

Training in New Jersey

PSEG's Newark- and Salem-area generating stations and the large industrial/petrochemical facilities along the Arthur Kill and Raritan Bay provide consistent NJ boilermaker work. NJ boilermakers also travel to power plant turnarounds throughout the Northeast corridor.

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 New Jersey?

The median wage for boilermakers in New Jersey is $82,410 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $115,270. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in New Jersey?

IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no NJ state license), overseen by the No New Jersey state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard. New Jersey does not issue a boilermaker mechanic license. The entry path is the IBB JATC apprenticeship: 3–4 years, ~6,000 OJT hours with classroom training in welding, rigging, and pressure vessel assembly.

Is being a Boilermaker a good career in New Jersey?

Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.

Which New Jersey metros pay boilermakers the most?

Among New Jersey metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $86,910, followed by New York–Newark ($82,420). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Is Boilermaker a growing career in New Jersey?

New Jersey projects boilermakers employment to change -2.6% 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), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No New Jersey state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard (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 New Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.