Boilermakers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$73,340
~$35/hr · ~$6,112/mo
US Jobs
10K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
2/10
Safe
AI & Automation Risk
Safe 2/10
The core work is highly physical, involving manual assembly, welding, and repair in unpredictable and cramped environments like boilers and tanks. While AI can assist with peripheral tasks like blueprint analysis or maintenance scheduling, the primary duties require human dexterity and physical presence that current AI and robotics cannot replicate in non-factory settings.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CABEST VALUE | $138,790 | Above avg (117.6) | $118,068 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $99,050 | Below avg (95.7) | $103,531 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $102,740 | Above avg (104.3) | $98,502 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $93,130 | Below avg (94.7) | $98,394 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $96,510 | Average (98.2) | $98,292 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $89,210 | Below avg (94.7) | $94,197 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,600 | Above avg (114.7) | $93,770 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $90,210 | Average (97.0) | $92,977 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $84,220 | Below avg (91.2) | $92,313 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $91,690 | Average (102.4) | $89,573 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $75,370 | Below avg (91.2) | $82,648 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $80,560 | Above avg (112.6) | $71,517 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $62,530 | Below avg (90.8) | $68,873 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $63,040 | Below avg (91.7) | $68,735 |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,400 | Below avg (91.8) | $68,000 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
10-Year Growth
-2% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$35/hr
Monthly Income
~$6,112/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)