72103 – Boilermakers
Lead statement
Boilermakers fabricate, assemble, erect, test, maintain and repair boilers, vessels, tanks, towers, heat exchangers and other heavy-metal structures. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Read blueprints or specifications to plan sequence of operation
- Lay out plate, sheet steel or other heavy metal and mark bending and cutting lines on work piece using protractors, compasses and drawing instruments or templates
- Set up and operate heavy-metal working machines such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters and drill presses to cut, shape and form metal into parts or sections
- Fit and weld metal parts or sections together to fabricate boilers, vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, piping and other heavy-metal products
- Erect and install boilers and other heavy-metal products according to specifications using hand and power tools
- Repair and perform maintenance work on boilers and other heavy-metal products
- Direct activities of hoist or crane operators and other workers during fabrication, assembly, installation or repair of structures
- Test finished structures using a variety of methods.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program ora combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in boilermaking is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available, in all provinces, to qualified boilermakers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Example job titles
boiler fitter · boiler installer · boiler repairer · boiler repairman/woman · boiler shop mechanic · boilermaker · boilermaker apprentice · pressure vessel boilermaker · erection and repair boilermaker · maintenance boilermaker · construction boilermaker · industrial boilermaker · industrial heat exchanger boilermaker · journeyman/woman boilermaker · marine boilermaker · industrial construction boilermaker · boilermaker-welder · pressure vessel fabricator
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $37.66 | $49.00 | $54.57 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $31.07 | $41.33 | $52.67 |
| Nova Scotia | $38.19 | $45.46 | $54.00 |
| New Brunswick | $36.00 | $43.64 | $52.00 |
| Quebec | $42.00 | $47.00 | $48.95 |
| Ontario | $31.21 | $48.21 | $54.21 |
| Manitoba | $34.00 | $47.87 | $51.81 |
| Saskatchewan | $40.49 | $48.05 | $52.30 |
| Alberta | $42.35 | $51.81 | $56.00 |
| British Columbia | $48.00 | $51.07 | $56.74 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.