Boilermaker in Pennsylvania: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Pennsylvania employs 260 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $86,850 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)
- Pennsylvania median pay
- $86,850 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $60,380
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $97,070
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $104,360
- Employed in Pennsylvania
- 260
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for boilermakers in major Pennsylvania markets:
- Pittsburgh
- $91,420 (100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania
Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $86,850 median stretches to roughly $88,986 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)
Pennsylvania is projected to shrink boilermakers employment -6.3%, slower than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no PA state license) — regulated by the No Pennsylvania state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard.
- Pennsylvania does not issue an individual boilermaker mechanic license. Entry is through the IBB JATC apprenticeship: 3–4 years, ~6,000 OJT hours plus classroom training in welding, rigging, and pressure vessel construction.
- Apprentices earn ASME Section IX pressure vessel welding qualification. Pennsylvania has significant power generation infrastructure, including both fossil fuel and nuclear plants requiring ongoing boilermaker maintenance.
- Pittsburgh's former steel industry created one of the country's strongest boilermaker union cultures. Industrial maintenance turnarounds at refineries, chemical plants, and paper mills across the state provide steady work.
Training in Pennsylvania
IBB Local Lodge 13 (Pittsburgh) has one of the strongest apprenticeship programs in the eastern US. Local Lodge 28 covers the Philadelphia area. Pennsylvania's nuclear plants (Exelon/Constellation) and natural gas power expansion provide long-term boilermaker employment.
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 Pennsylvania?
The median wage for boilermakers in Pennsylvania is $86,850 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,380, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $104,360. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Pennsylvania?
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no PA state license), overseen by the No Pennsylvania state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard. Pennsylvania does not issue an individual boilermaker mechanic license. Entry is through the IBB JATC apprenticeship: 3–4 years, ~6,000 OJT hours plus classroom training in welding, rigging, and pressure vessel construction.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Pennsylvania?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Which Pennsylvania metros pay boilermakers the most?
Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Pittsburgh leads at $91,420. 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania projects boilermakers employment to change -6.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.