Sheet Metal Workers vs Boilermakers
Median pay is about $15k higher for Boilermakers. Both usually start with the same education: apprenticeship.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Sheet Metal Workers | Boilermakers |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $61,800 | $76,410, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $47,830 | $64,760, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $81,610 | $95,430, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +2.5% Growing, higher | -1.8% Declining |
| Openings a year | 9,800 | 700 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| Difficulty modeled | 2 / 5 | 2.6 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Low | Moderate |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 8th pct | 26th pct |
Where the skills differ
Only Sheet Metal Workers
- Mathematics
Only Boilermakers
- Active Learning
Both lean on reading comprehension, critical thinking, monitoring, active listening, speaking.
More comparisons
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.