Boilermaker
Boilermakers Local 647
Build, install, and maintain the boilers, pressure vessels, and industrial tanks that power refineries, power plants, and manufacturing facilities.
Starting Pay
$24.18/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$48.35/hr
~$97k/year
Apprenticeship
5 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$130,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Boilermakers from Local 647 fabricate, assemble, and repair the large steel vessels that hold gases, steam, and liquids under pressure. That means industrial boilers at power plants, pressure vessels at refineries and chemical facilities, storage tanks, and heat exchangers. The work combines welding (often certified to ASME code standards), structural fitting, and rigorous safety protocol. Boilermakers are in high demand during industrial plant turnarounds and shutdowns, which often pay premium overtime wages.
Day One as an Apprentice
Your first day as a boilermaker apprentice you'll likely be on an industrial job site — a power plant, refinery, or large manufacturing facility. Safety briefings come first: confined space entry, fall protection, and hot work permits. Then you'll work alongside a journeyman, learning how to read isometric drawings, handle heavy fittings, and understand the pressure systems you're working on.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $24.18/hr | ~$48k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $29.01/hr | ~$58k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $33.85/hr | ~$68k |
| 4 | 4th Year Apprentice | $38.68/hr | ~$77k |
| 5 | 5th Year Apprentice | $43.52/hr | ~$87k |
| 6 | Journeyman Boilermaker | $48.35/hr | ~$97k |
Benefits Package
Health, dental, and vision through the National Boilermakers fund. Pension and annuity contributions. Industrial plant shutdown work regularly pays double time and can significantly boost annual earnings.
Apprenticeship Program
5 years
Program Length
900 hrs
Classroom Hours
8,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Contact Boilermakers Local 647 directly or visit the international website at boilermakers.org. Applications require a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and the ability to pass a physical and drug test. Strong welding aptitude is a plus.
Application Windows
Boilermakers are often hired in advance of major industrial turnarounds and new plant construction. Contact the hall directly for current needs.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- 18 years of age
- Pass a physical and drug test
- Strong mechanical aptitude; welding experience is a plus
Physical Requirements
- Heavy physical work — lifting, positioning, and welding in confined spaces
- Work at heights on industrial equipment and scaffolding
- Comfortable in hot, loud industrial environments
- Ability to work in confined spaces (required certification)
Tools You'll Need
- Welding hood and personal welding tools (after certification)
- Pipe and fitting hand tools — wrenches, hammers, chisels
- Measuring and layout tools
- Personal PPE: hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection
Physical Demand
4/5
Technical Level
4/5
Union Hall
Local Union
Boilermakers Local 647
Address
9459 NW Hwy 10, Suite 105
Ramsey, MN 55303
Phone
(763) 712-9930Market Outlook
Moderate Demand
MN DEED projects 0% growth for boilermakers (SOC 47-2011) 2022–2032 and BLS projects a 2% national decline 2024–2034. Very small occupation (~80 MN workers) with most openings coming from retirement replacement rather than growth.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Statewide (MN, ND, SD). Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with Boilermakers Local 647 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with Boilermakers Local 647.