Boilermaker salary in California
Boilermakers in California earn a median of $118,150 a year ($56.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,900 for the top 10%. That is 55% higher than the national median of $76,410. California ranks 1st of 37 states for boilermakers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 boilermakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $115,900, close to the median.
Pay range for boilermakers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,960 | $40.37 |
| 25th percentile | $107,010 | $51.45 |
| Median | $118,150 | $56.80 |
| 75th percentile | $129,390 | $62.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,900 | $65.82 |
| Average (mean) | $115,900 | $55.72 |
Half of boilermakers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,845.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,922.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,544.23 |
| Weekly | $2,272.12 |
| Hourly | $56.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Boilermaker salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $135,290 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $110,370 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for boilermakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,150 |
| Mississippi | $105,910 |
| New Mexico | $101,200 |
| Illinois | $99,730 |
| Michigan | $98,220 |
| Wisconsin | $97,590 |
| Minnesota | $96,190 |
| Washington | $95,200 |
| Indiana | $91,410 |
| Colorado | $89,350 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a boilermaker make in California?
The median salary for boilermakers in California is $118,150 a year, or $56.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid boilermakers make in California?
The top 10% of boilermakers in California earn at least $136,900 a year. The top 25% earn $129,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for boilermakers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,960 a year, and a quarter of boilermakers earn $107,010 or less.
How many boilermakers work in California?
About 720 boilermakers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.