Become a Boilermaker

How to Become a Boilermaker: Career Guidline

If you are interested in a career in the welding industry, become a boilermaker! The welding industry has many different career paths you can go down. What one suits you? Becoming a boilermaker might be a good fit!

What is a Boilermaker?

Becoming a boilermaker, you will engage in the construction, installation, upkeep, and restoration of boilers, tanks, vats, pressure vessels, and various structural elements. These structures play a crucial role in power generation, heat provision, and serve as storage units for substances like oil, industrial chemicals, or liquids.

The primary tools employed by boilermakers include welding and cutting equipment. With additional use of tools for the fusion, separation, and shaping of metal plates, sections, and components. Their expertise extends to contributing to the construction, repair, or maintenance of diverse structures such as blast furnaces, bridges, rocket boosters, elevators, dams, and locomotives.

Responsibilities

Here are some responsibilities include:

Welding small diameter tube/pipe.
Fabricating, installing, testing, and maintaining boilers, tanks, vats, and pressure vessels.
Laying out, assembling, and tearing down scaffolding, cranes, or other support structures.
Installing auxiliary mechanisms like tubes, fittings, valves, and boiler instrumentation.
Conducting inspections and preparing preventative maintenance reports.

Education

What education do you need to become a boilermaker? It also depends if you union or non-union, but here is that basic requirements!

Minimum Education: High school diploma or GED
Recommended Education: Certificates in welding, metals fabrication, structural welding, etc.
Advanced Education:Associate degree in welding, metals fabrication, structural welding, etc

There is also some training you can that will help you have a successful career as a boilermaker. Here are a few:

Recommend training: Related structural steel fabrication or steel erection work experience.
Advanced Training: Apprenticeship program.
Recommended Certification: AWS Certified Welder.

You can apply and get into the boilermakers union apprenticeship, which usually only requires a high school diploma or GED & be able to pass a drug screen.

What Kind of Money Can You Make?

When it comes to a welding career like becoming a boilermaker, you can make a great living! What can of money can you expect to make? This also depends, where you’re working (State,city) union or non-union, what company, etc. This is a national average.

The entry-level salary is $53,000, the national median pay is $65,000, and real go-getters can earn $80,000 or more, according to sources from Emsi in 2022. Not to mention full benefit packages & or per-diem!

Boilermaker Union Apprenticeship

A Union Boilermakers Apprenticeship is a training program organized by a labor union for individuals seeking to become boilermakers.

In a union apprenticeship program, aspiring boilermakers undergo a structured training curriculum that typically combines classroom instruction with hands-on, practical experience. Apprentices work under the guidance of experienced journeypersons or mentors to develop the necessary skills and knowledge in the field.

The union aspect means that the apprenticeship is organized or endorsed by a labor union, such as the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Union apprenticeships often come with certain benefits, including collective bargaining representation, standardized wages, and adherence to industry standards. The goal of the apprenticeship is to prepare individuals for a successful career as a qualified and skilled boilermaker, meeting the industry’s standards and safety requirements.

You can learn more about the boilermakers apprenticeship HERE or watch the video above!

Boilermakers Union

What does the boilermakers union do for you?

They are a special group of skilled workers, including craftsmen and women, as well as industrial workers. They are trained to be the best and stand out from the rest. The union is for workers who want a modern and forward-thinking organization that takes care of its members today and in the future. They are also the preferred choice for owners, contractors, and employers who want the job to be done correctly—on time, within budget, and safely, every single time.

You can learn more about the boilermakers union HERE or click and watch the video above!

Find a Welding Career

Welding careers offer diverse opportunities, ranging from entry-level positions to specialized roles requiring advanced certifications. Welders may specialize in specific types of welding, such as MIG, TIG, or arc welding, and can work with various materials, including steel, aluminum, and alloys.

These careers often require a combination of practical skills, technical knowledge, and attention to safety protocols. Additionally, welders may find employment in shipbuilding, automotive industries, construction sites, and manufacturing plants. As technology evolves, the field of welding continues to advance, with opportunities for specialization in areas like robotic welding and automation. A successful welding career involves continuous learning, adaptability, and a commitment to producing high-quality work.

Click HERE to learn more!

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