Boilermaker in Wisconsin: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Wisconsin employs 170 boilermakers, with a statewide median of $97,590 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.
What Boilermakers Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)
- Wisconsin median pay
- $97,590 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $60,090
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $100,550
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $103,060
- Employed in Wisconsin
- 170
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $72,280 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for boilermakers in major Wisconsin markets:
- Minneapolis
- $105,430
What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin
Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $97,590 median stretches to roughly $103,709 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)
Wisconsin is projected to shrink boilermakers employment -3.5%, slower than the -2.9% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship — regulated by the No Wisconsin state license — union apprenticeship path.
- Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state license — union apprenticeship path →
Training in Wisconsin
High pay, but travel and shutdown/turnaround work are common. Power, paper mills, 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 Wisconsin?
The median wage for boilermakers in Wisconsin is $97,590 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,090, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $103,060. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Boilermaker in Wisconsin?
No state license; Boilermakers (IBB) apprenticeship, overseen by the No Wisconsin state license — union apprenticeship path. Wisconsin does not license boilermakers.
Is being a Boilermaker a good career in Wisconsin?
Boilermakers install and maintain pressure vessels, tanks, and heat exchangers in industrial settings — licensed work that requires physical presence and specialized expertise.
Which Wisconsin metros pay boilermakers the most?
Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $105,430. 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin projects boilermakers employment to change -3.5% 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), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the No Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.