Boilermaker in Ohio: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Ohio employs 300 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $85,550 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Ohio licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Ohio (May 2025)
- Ohio median pay
- $85,550 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $48,120
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $99,670
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $105,440
- Employed in Ohio
- 300
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Ohio
Prices in Ohio run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $85,550 median stretches to roughly $92,188 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Ohio (2024–2034)
Ohio is projected to shrink boilermakers employment -5.1%, 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.
Ohio License and Certification Requirements
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no OH state license) — regulated by the No Ohio state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard.
- Ohio does not issue an individual boilermaker mechanic license. Enter through the IBB JATC apprenticeship: 3–4 years, ~6,000 OJT hours with classroom training in welding, rigging, and pressure vessel assembly.
- Complete ASME Section IX pressure vessel welding qualification during the apprenticeship. Ohio has significant power generation, steel, and chemical industries — particularly in the Northeast (Cleveland, Youngstown) and along the Ohio River.
- Power plant maintenance (American Electric Power, FirstEnergy, Duke Energy Ohio), industrial manufacturing, and refinery turnarounds provide steady boilermaker work throughout Ohio.
Official requirements: No Ohio state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard →
Training in Ohio
IBB Local Lodge 85 (Columbus) and local lodges in Cleveland and Cincinnati serve Ohio. The Ohio River industrial corridor (Ashland, Marietta, Portsmouth) and the Northeast Ohio manufacturing belt provide consistent boilermaker employment. Power plant construction associated with natural gas conversion is a growth area.
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 Ohio?
The median wage for boilermakers in Ohio is $85,550 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $105,440. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Ohio?
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no OH state license), overseen by the No Ohio state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard. Ohio does not issue an individual boilermaker mechanic license. Enter through 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 Ohio?
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 Ohio?
Ohio projects boilermakers employment to change -5.1% 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), Ohio statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Ohio 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 Ohio wages · Ohio 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.