California Median
$118,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+55% vs US median
US median $76,410
State Rank
#1 of 37
720 employed here
How much does a Boilermaker make in California?
Boilermakers in California take home a median of $118,150 annually — roughly $56.80 an hour — which runs 55% above the national median of $76,410.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $83,960 while the top 10% make $136,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $107,010 and $129,390 a year.
Boilermaker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,960 | $40.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $107,010 | $51.45 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $118,150 | $56.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $129,390 | $62.21 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,900 | $65.82 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 37 states and territories for Boilermaker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Boilermaker salary in other states
Mississippi $105,910New Mexico $101,200Illinois $99,730Michigan $98,220Wisconsin $97,590Minnesota $96,190Washington $95,200Indiana $91,410Colorado $89,350Idaho $88,400Pennsylvania $86,850Ohio $85,550New Hampshire $85,470New York $84,770Iowa $82,470New Jersey $82,410Connecticut $80,360Missouri $78,550Arizona $77,940Wyoming $77,900Oklahoma $77,750Arkansas $76,810Texas $75,750South Carolina $74,840Kentucky $74,810Louisiana $73,980Kansas $72,170Florida $69,790Virginia $67,540Georgia $64,200West Virginia $63,850Alabama $63,570Nevada $61,430Tennessee $51,810North Carolina $49,720Maryland $42,250
Working as a Boilermaker in California
Nationally, about 10,000 people work as Boilermakers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($118,150) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Boilermaker make in California?
The median Boilermaker salary in California is $118,150 per year, or about $56.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,960 at the entry level to $136,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Boilermakers about 55% more than the national median of $76,410. California ranks 1st out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Boilermakers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $118,150 a year. About 720 Boilermakers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Boilermaker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.