BOILERMAKER
Builds, installs, and repairs boilers, pressure vessels, and other large industrial steel structures. Boomer trade — heavy travel for premium pay. North Carolina is a right-to-work state — union density is lower than the national average, but licensed tradespeople still command solid wages on prevailing wage projects.
The License.
Check with North Carolina directly — licensing for boilermakervaries by municipality in this state. There is no single state board that we can point to with confidence for this trade. Contact your local city or county building department, or check the state labor department's website.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in North Carolina. BLS metro-level data was not available for this combination. National medians shown below.
| Stage | Hourly range | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $22–$30/hr | $44,000 – $60,000 |
| Journeyman scale | $40–$60/hr | $80,000 – $120,000 |
| BLS national median | — | $71,140 |
| BLS top 10% | — | $98,810 |
North Carolina is a right-to-work state. Union scale in major North Carolina metros typically runs 10–20% above the national median on public projects with prevailing wage requirements; non-union pay can run 15–30% below union scale on private work.
The Path.
In North Carolina, apprenticeships are administered through the federal RAPIDS system via the U.S. Department of Labor. To find registered programs, go to apprenticeship.gov and filter by state. Most joint apprenticeship training committees (JATCs) also accept direct applications.
- · Boilermakers International
The Exam.
Industrial trade licensing in North Carolina often falls under boiler, pressure vessel, or contractor rules. Confirm the applicable exam provider and code edition with the relevant board. Note: prevailing wage rules in North Carolina apply primarily to public projects — private-sector jobs in this right-to-work state are exempt.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Heavy travel. Expect months on the road for major shutdowns.
- 02Confined space work is constant. Claustrophobia disqualifies you.
- 03BLS projects slight decline as coal plants retire — but power, refinery, and shipyard work continues.