Career Profile: Boilermaker

By Author: William Hauselberg
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Oklahoma employed about 280 boilermakers in 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Boilers are large machinery used to generate power, heat water or other types of liquids. Boilermakers install and maintain boilers and other large containers that hold things such as gases and liquids. This skilled trade generally services large boilers for industrial buildings, factories, large ships and other buildings that require boilers to operate at large capacities, unlike a small boiler for a home. Boilermakers use a variety of tools and equipment to install and maintain boilers and all of their related parts. These professionals attend a boilermaker training program to get started in this career.

Boilermaker Training and Education

Attending a boilermaker training program from an Oklahoma boilermaker school helps these professionals enter and complete an apprenticeship faster. Most boilermakers spend about five years as an apprentice, learning the skilled required for the job. Other requirements include 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid training in an apprenticeship. Attending an Oklahoma ...
... boilermaker school includes coursework in welding, mathematics, blub print reading and learning about metals. Students also learn about safety procedures and obtain practical training constructing boilers.

Employers who train boilermakers prefer those who attend a boilermaker training program. Oklahoma boiler training schools also work with local employers and help graduates find a job after completion. This niche market makes finding qualified boilermakers for companies that hire these professionals uneasy, which is why employers work with schools to hire and train graduates.

A Boiler Makers Work Environment

Boilermakers in Oklahoma work in a variety of careers related to construction, utilities, and manufacturing. They travel to locations to install and fix boilers and parts. Installation and testing of boiler can take several days to several weeks, but many employers reimburse boilermakers for travel and also pay overtime. Boilers and their related equipment often supply heat, hot water and other utilities to large facilities. In many cases, boilermakers work overtime to meet required deadlines, especially if the equipment fails or requires repairs. They work outdoors and indoors, and sometimes may work at high heights. The appropriate safety measures are taken to ensure boilermakers are safe during their work. The job is never boring and allows them to work in different environments and work sites.

Boilermakers in Oklahoma earn an average salary of about $35,000 per year or $16.80 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When boilermakers work overtime, it pays 1.5 times their hourly wages, which can lead to higher salaries.

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