boilermaker
Role lens
Boilermakers are skilled craftspeople vital to industries relying on hot water and steam systems. If you enjoy working with your hands, problem-solving, and mastering technical skills in a manufacturing or maintenance environment, a career as a boilermaker could be a great fit.
As a boilermaker, your days involve a mix of fabrication, repair, and maintenance work on boilers and related equipment. You’ll use specialized tools and techniques to cut, shape, and weld metal sheets and tubes, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these critical systems. This role demands precision, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- • Cutting, gouging, and shaping metal sheets and tubes using oxy-acetylene torches.
- • Assembling boiler components using shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, or gas tungsten arc welding techniques.
- • Performing repairs and retubing on existing boilers.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Metal, machinery and related trades workers — 106 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia and 15 more.
Longest-running shortage: Austria, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could boilermaker fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Initiative?
Future Outlook for boilermaker
The outlook for boilermaker reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could boilermaker change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could boilermaker change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- wear appropriate protective gear
- apply arc welding techniques
- operate welding equipment
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- read standard blueprints
- handle gas cylinders
- smooth burred surfaces
Tasks most exposed to automation
- record production data for quality control
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a boilermaker
09 09:00 · Morning smooth burred surfaces
10 10:30 · Mid-morning ensure equipment availability
12 12:00 · Midday select filler metal
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply arc welding techniques
15 15:30 · Late afternoon apply precision metalworking techniques
17 17:00 · Wrap-up ensure correct metal temperature
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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manufacturing of heating equipment
The manufacture of electrical ovens and water heaters by metalworking processes.
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3D printing process
The process of reproducing 3D objects by using 3D printing technologies.
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casting processes
The various practices used in the casting of metal, plastics and other cast materials, including mould filling, solidification, cooling, and others, all relating to varying approaches in case of different types of material.
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ferrous metal processing
Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
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maintenance of printing machines
Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.
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manufacturing of steam generators
The manufacture of steam or other vapour generators, the manufacture of auxiliary plant for use with steam generators: condensers, economisers, superheaters, steam collectors and accumulators. The manufacture of nuclear reactors, parts for marine or power boilers. Also the production of pipe system construction comprising further processing of tubes generally to make pressure pipes or pipe systems together with the associated design and construction work.
- flammable fluids
- fuel gas
- metal smoothing technologies
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apply arc welding techniques
Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of arc welding, such as shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, and others.
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operate welding equipment
Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.
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operate soldering equipment
Use soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.
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select filler metal
Select optimal metal used for metal joining purposes, such as zinc, lead or copper metals, specifically for welding, soldering or brazing practices.
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record production data for quality control
Keep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
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troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
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operate precision measuring equipment
Measure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, and a measuring gauge.
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perform test run
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
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handle gas cylinders
Grip gas cylinders in a safe manner and ensure they are compliant with safety and health regulations.
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wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
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read standard blueprints
Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does boilermaker fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What industries typically employ boilermakers?
- Boilermakers are employed across a range of industries, including power generation, manufacturing, petrochemical, and shipbuilding. Any facility that utilizes boilers for heating or power production will likely require boilermaker services.
- What kind of physical demands are involved in this role?
- Boilermaking is a physically demanding occupation. It often involves prolonged standing, lifting heavy materials, working in confined spaces, and exposure to heat and noise. A good level of physical fitness is essential.
- What skills are important for success as a boilermaker?
- Strong welding skills are fundamental. Beyond that, you’ll need spatial reasoning, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to read and interpret technical drawings and blueprints. Adaptability and a commitment to safety are also crucial.
- Boilermaker — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 19 of the 20 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia and 15 more. Austria has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Boilermaker — what does it pay in the United States?
- $73,340 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $29,120 to $118,150. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.