BOILERMAKER
Builds, installs, and repairs boilers, pressure vessels, and other large industrial steel structures. Boomer trade — heavy travel for premium pay. Louisiana 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.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Louisiana: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in Louisiana. 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 |
Louisiana is a right-to-work state. Union scale in major Louisiana 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Many licensing boards do not publish them.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.