Boilermaker in Washington: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Washington employs 190 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $95,200 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Washington licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Washington (May 2025)
- Washington median pay
- $95,200 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $62,260
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $117,040
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $127,040
- Employed in Washington
- 190
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Washington
Prices in Washington run about 7% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $95,200 median is worth closer to $88,972 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Washington (2024–2034)
Washington is projected to shrink boilermakers employment -1.3%, faster than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Washington License and Certification Requirements
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications — regulated by the No Washington state individual boilermaker license required.
- Washington does not require a state license for individual boilermakers. The standard path is an IBB (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers) Local Joint Apprenticeship: 4 years, approximately 6,000+ OJT hours covering boiler erection, pressure vessel maintenance, and welding.
- Complete boilermaker apprenticeship training in rigging, cutting, welding (structural and pressure vessel), heat exchanger work, and OSHA safety. ASME Section IX pressure vessel welding qualifications are earned on the job.
- Apply through IBB Local 502 (Tacoma) or Local 363 (Spokane), or contact boilermaker.org for apprenticeship applications. Petrochemical facilities, pulp/paper mills, aluminum smelters, and power plants in WA are the primary employers.
Official requirements: No Washington state individual boilermaker license required →
Training in Washington
Washington's industrial base — aluminum reduction in Wenatchee and Longview, paper mills in Western WA, and the Puget Sound power infrastructure — creates boilermaker demand. Local 502 covers the Puget Sound and coastal region; Local 363 covers Eastern WA. Work is project-based and may require travel.
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 Washington?
The median wage for boilermakers in Washington is $95,200 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,260, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $127,040. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Washington?
None required — IBB journeyman credential + ASME welding qualifications, overseen by the No Washington state individual boilermaker license required. Washington does not require a state license for individual boilermakers. The standard path is an IBB (International Brotherhood of Boilermakers) Local Joint Apprenticeship: 4 years, approximately 6,000+ OJT hours covering boiler erection, pressure vessel maintenance, and welding.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Washington?
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 Washington?
Washington projects boilermakers employment to change -1.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 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), Washington statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Washington state individual boilermaker license required (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 Washington wages · Washington 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.