Boilermaker in Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Virginia employs 150 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $67,540 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Virginia (May 2025)
- Virginia median pay
- $67,540 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $41,350
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $75,170
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $78,520
- Employed in Virginia
- 150
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for boilermakers in major Virginia markets:
- Virginia Beach–Norfolk
- $68,350 (90 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia
Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $67,540 median is worth closer to $66,805 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)
Virginia is projected to grow boilermakers employment +1.0%, faster than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Virginia License and Certification Requirements
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no VA state license) — regulated by the No Virginia state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard.
- Virginia does not issue a boilermaker mechanic license. The entry path is the IBB JATC apprenticeship through the SAJAC (Southern Area Joint Apprenticeship Committee): 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. Virginia's boilermaker work includes Dominion Energy's large fleet of power generating stations, Newport News Shipbuilding's naval vessel boiler work, and industrial facilities across the state.
- The SAJAC (sajac-boilermakers.org) coordinates apprenticeship applications for Virginia and the broader Southeast.
Official requirements: No Virginia state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard →
Training in Virginia
Newport News Shipbuilding (Huntington Ingalls) is a unique Virginia employer — naval vessel boilers and steam systems require specialized boilermaker skills and provide long-term employment stability. Dominion Energy's power plants (Chesterfield, Clover, Bath County) provide additional power generation maintenance work.
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 Virginia?
The median wage for boilermakers in Virginia is $67,540 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $41,350, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Virginia?
IBB Journeyman Boilermaker (apprenticeship credential — no VA state license), overseen by the No Virginia state boilermaker license — IBB apprenticeship is the standard. Virginia does not issue a boilermaker mechanic license. The entry path is the IBB JATC apprenticeship through the SAJAC (Southern Area Joint Apprenticeship Committee): 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 Virginia?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Which Virginia metros pay boilermakers the most?
Among Virginia metro areas, Virginia Beach–Norfolk leads at $68,350. 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 Virginia?
Virginia projects boilermakers employment to change +1.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Virginia 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 Virginia wages · Virginia 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.