Boilermakers vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: $76K vs $42K Median Pay

Boilermakers vs Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: what changes?

Consider Boilermakers if you want to construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Consider Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters if you would rather help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill. Both list high school diploma or equivalent; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Boilermakers and Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Boilermakers

National median pay (2025): $76,410
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: Apprenticeship combines paid work and instruction; duration is not reported here. Check the full program and licensing requirements.
Work to investigate: Conduct pressure tests on vessels, such as boilers.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 700

Know before you choose

The usual entry route includes an apprenticeship. Interest in the subject is not a substitute for supervised, paid training.

See the full Boilermakers brief

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

National median pay (2025): $42,360
Route into the job: High school diploma or equivalent; One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: One month or less of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 4,400

Know before you choose

The job can require working in cramped or physically awkward positions for meaningful stretches of time.

See the full Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters brief

How the national numbers differ

Boilermakers has the edge on median pay

Boilermakers is at $76,410, compared with $42,360 for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has the edge on annual openings

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is at 4,400 annual openings, compared with 700 annual openings for Boilermakers.

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters has the edge on projected growth

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is at 2.4% projected growth, compared with -1.8% projected growth for Boilermakers.

41.4/ 100

Boilermakers

42.3/ 100

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence