Boilermaker

Build
Organize
Persuade
Think

Boilermakers work in many settings—including construction sites, manufacturing shops, ships, and energy facilities—helping to create and maintain the critical infrastructure needed for power generation and industrial operations. Their work is essential to keeping factories, plants, and power systems running safely and efficiently. As demand for energy and industrial development grows, skilled boilermakers will continue to play a vital role in supporting these important sectors.

Boilermakers build, install, and repair boilers, tanks, and pressure vessels that hold water, steam, oil, or gas. They read blueprints, cut and shape heavy metal, weld parts together, and test systems to ensure safety and reliability.

Salary Information
Pay Range: $53,000 - $113,000 per year.
Typical Salary: Around $76,000 per year.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Build: Strong and safe pressure systems, boilers and tanks meet safety standards.
  • Prepare: Read drawings and plans to know how parts should be made.
  • Test systems: To make sure they do not leak and work properly.
  • Be safe: Follow safety rules when working with heavy equipment.
  • Maintain: Help keep buildings, factories, and power systems running safely.

DAILY TASKS

  • Read and interpret blueprints to plan the job.
  • Measure and mark metal for cutting and bending.
  • Use large machines to cut, shape, and form metal.
  • Weld metal parts together to make large structures.
  • Use cranes and hoists to lift and move heavy pieces.
  • Test finished work and repair damaged equipment when needed.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Education: Completion of high school, and completion of a three or four year apprenticeship program OR a combination of four years of work experience in the trade + some college/ industry courses in boilermaker.
    • Complete a total of 6,600 hours (approximately four years), which consists of 5,880 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.
    • Afterwards, you must complete the Skilled Trades Ontario certifying exam with a grade of 70% or higher to obtain your Certificate of Qualification.
  • Special training:
    • Attend skills-upgrading courses at your Local Union training centre, covering topics like safety, welding, rigging, supervision, and others.
    • Boilermakers who work in nuclear facilities will need to obtain Nuclear- Qualified Worker Status (NQW), which encompasses two components: “Nuclear Energy Worker (NEW)” status and “Personnel Certification and Qualification”. This can be obtained in collaboration with a union and/ or employer. After obtaining NQW, you will have a designation signalling your potential to be exposed to radiation, and job-related training to work within a nuclear power plant.
  • Extra certifications: Red Seal (optional).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Technical Skills

  • Good math skills, and the ability to use protractors, compasses, drawing instruments or templates to make measurements.
  • Working with hands, power tools, and heavy-metal working machines, including brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters and drill presses.
  • Use various skills, including welding, fitting, and rigging.

Other Skills

  • Safety & awareness: Follows safety rules, uses protective gear, and stays aware of surroundings.
  • Teamwork & communication: Works well with others and communicates clearly.
  • Problem-solving & detail: Finds and fixes problems carefully.
  • Physical readiness & flexibility: Can do physically demanding work in various settings.
  • Learning & adaptability: Learns new skills and uses tools safely.

ELECTRIFY YOUR CAREER

Explore a wide range of careers at 
Ontario Power Generation. See current openings now.

discover

another path