Boilermaker in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Boilermakers in South Carolina earn a statewide median of $74,840, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)
- South Carolina median pay
- $74,840 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $71,800
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $75,630
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $77,000
- Employed in South Carolina
- Not published (BLS suppressed)
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina
Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $74,840 median stretches to roughly $79,872 in national buying-power terms.
South Carolina License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No South Carolina state license — union apprenticeship path.
- South Carolina 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 South Carolina state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in South Carolina
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Power, nuclear, 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 South Carolina?
The median wage for boilermakers in South Carolina is $74,840 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $71,800, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,000. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in South Carolina?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No South Carolina state license — union apprenticeship path. South Carolina does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in South Carolina?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No South Carolina 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 South Carolina wages · South Carolina 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.