How to Become a Boilermaker in South Dakota (2026)

U.S. employment of boilermakers is projected to change -2.4% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections). Most boilermakers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Dakota.

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Key Facts

South Dakota offers career opportunities for boilermakers. This page covers how to become a Boilermaker in South Dakota, 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

Quick Answers About How to Become a Boilermaker in South Dakota

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

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.

How to Become a Boilermaker in South Dakota

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. South Dakota’s apprenticeship program is administered by the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship 1.

Contact Information:

  • Office: StartTodaySD Apprenticeship Program
  • Address: 123 West Missouri Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
  • Phone: (605) 910-7031
  • Email: [email protected]

Boilermaker Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for boilermakers in South Dakota? Nationally, boilermaker employment is projected to grow -2.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

In South Dakota

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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. South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

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

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)