upper level job

How much does a Boilermaker I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Boilermaker I in the United States is $48,387 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Boilermaker I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,137
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,366 to $52,967
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,795

Key Factors That Influence Boilermaker I Salaries

A Boilermaker I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Boilermaker I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Boilermaker I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Boilermaker I (1-3 years): $48,387
  • Boilermaker II (3-5 years): $58,550
  • Boilermaker III (5-7 years): $67,059
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Boilermaker I1-3 years$48,387
Boilermaker II3-5 years$58,550
Boilermaker III5-7 years$67,059

Top Paying Cities for Boilermaker I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $61,031
  • San Francisco: $60,362
  • Oakland: $59,090

What Skills Can Increase a Boilermaker I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 2.97% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Automatic Control (Mentioned in 5.28% Job Postings): Automatic control is the maintenance of a desired value of a quantity or condition by measuring existing value, comparing it to the desired value and.
  • Service Quality (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): Service quality is a measure of how an organization delivers its services compared to the expectations of its customers.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 2.97%
Automatic Control 5.28%
Service Quality 1.32%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Boilermaker I's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • CPR: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $59,516
23%
CPR $58,064
20%
Process Improvement $57,097
18%

Boilermaker I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Boilermaker I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,695. While startup companies pay approximate $44,681.

Boilermaker I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,681
Growth Stage 51~500 $47,226
Established 501~5000 $50,915
Enterprise 5000+ $52,695

Boilermaker I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Boilermaker I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Business Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Boilermaker positions in Retail & Wholesale or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Boilermaker I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Boilermaker I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$58,064$28.020%
Energy & Utilities$53,226$26.010%
MFG Durable$50,806$24.05%

How Education impacts an Boilermaker I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Boilermaker I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Boilermaker I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $41,513 and $45,322.

Boilermaker I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Boilermaker I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.4%
High School 48.1%
Associates 11.1%
Bachelors 25.9%
Masters 7.4%
Doctorate 0.0%

Boilermaker I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Boilermaker I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$43,366
Average $48,387/year
$52,967
$3,614
Average $4,032/month
$4,414
$834
Average $931/week
$1,019
$21
Average $23/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $52,967 $4,414 $1,019 $25
Average $48,387 $4,032 $931 $23
25th Percentile $43,366 $3,614 $834 $21

Boilermaker I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Boilermaker I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Boilermaker II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $58,550 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Boilermaker I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Boilermaker I

Here are companies hiring for Boilermaker I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Boilermaker I

1. Where can a Boilermaker I earn the most?

A Boilermaker I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Boilermaker I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Boilermaker I is $61,031.

2. What is the highest pay for Boilermaker I?

The highest pay for Boilermaker I is $57,137.

3. What is the lowest pay for Boilermaker I?

The lowest pay for Boilermaker I is $38,795.

4. What are the responsibilities of Boilermaker I?

Builds, repairs, tests, and maintains all types of boilers and high pressure vessels. Tests for structural soundness and inspects fittings, feed pumps, safety and check valves, water and pressure gauges, and controls to ensure boilers operate safely and efficiently. Reads and uses blueprints to determine locations, positions, or dimensions of parts. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Boilermaker I?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Boilermaker I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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