How to Become a Boilermaker in Michigan (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Boilermakers in Michigan earn a median $98,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most boilermakers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Michigan.

Nationally, boilermaker employment is projected to grow -2.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 800 openings per year 1. This page covers how to become a Boilermaker in Michigan, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Michigan): $98,220 per year 2

Quick Answers About How to Become a Boilermaker in Michigan

How to become a Boilermaker in Michigan? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for boilermakers in Michigan.

How long does it take? Most paths into the boilermaker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do boilermakers earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for boilermakers in Michigan is $98,220 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,430 and experienced professionals can earn $107,150 or more 2.

How to Become a Boilermaker in Michigan

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Michigan training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Michigan that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to boilermakers in Michigan before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Boilermaker Apprenticeship Information in Michigan

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Michigan’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Mott Community College - Apprenticeship Program
  • Address: 1401 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48503-2089
  • Phone: (810) 762-0200
  • Email: [email protected]

Boilermaker Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

Boilermakers Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), boilermakers wages in Michigan vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Detroit-Warren-DearbornN/A$100,110$95,420$74,500$107,170

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for boilermakers in Michigan? Nationally, boilermaker employment is projected to grow -2.4% from 2024 to 2034 1.

What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan. You can also contact the Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do boilermakers earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for boilermakers in Michigan is $98,220, which is $24,880 above the national median of $73,340 according to BLS data 2.

In Michigan

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Michigan Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)