Boilermaker at Boilermakers Local 104 & Puget Sound Employers Apprenticeship Committee
at Boilermakers Local 104 & Puget Sound Employers Apprenticeship Committee in Seattle, WA
About This Program
Boilermakers Local 104 and the Puget Sound Employers Apprenticeship Committee jointly sponsor this union boilermaker apprenticeship in Seattle, WA. As a JATC program, it combines employer-based field experience with the training standards and union support of Boilermakers Local 104. Apprentices receive wages from the start, earning as they develop trade skills in the Pacific Northwest.
The program runs 4 years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn to construct, install, and maintain boilers, pressure vessels, and industrial storage systems. Coursework addresses welding, rigging, layout and fabrication, safety compliance, and the reading of technical drawings and specifications.
Completing this apprenticeship leads to journey-level boilermaker certification, preparing graduates for long-term careers in power generation, pulp and paper, shipbuilding, and industrial maintenance throughout the Seattle area and beyond. Union membership provides access to negotiated wages and benefits packages.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$32
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Boilermaker Career Outlook
National Median
$32.3/hr
~$67,184/yr
Apprentice Start
$20/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Boilermaker employment is tied to energy sector activity, industrial construction, and power plant maintenance. While the workforce is small, demand remains steady due to the critical need for pressure vessel maintenance and the complexity of the work. Retirements are creating openings. Workers with ASME welding certifications and willingness to travel have excellent employment prospects.
What to Expect as a Boilermaker Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Boilermaker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Washington
Boilermakers in Washington are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Boiler Section.
View full Washingtonlicensing requirements →Reviews
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