Boilermaker at Boilermakers Western States AJAC

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipUnionPaid Training

at Boilermakers Western States AJAC in Page, AZ

About This Program

The Boilermakers Western States AJAC sponsors this registered union boilermaker apprenticeship in Page, AZ. Affiliated with a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, this program trains apprentices under union standards, providing structured advancement, negotiated wages, and consistent safety oversight throughout the 4-year program.

Apprentices complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction over the course of the program. Hands-on work includes fabricating and installing boilers, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and industrial storage tanks at commercial and industrial job sites. Technical instruction covers welding, rigging, metallurgy, blueprint reading, and OSHA safety compliance.

Graduates earn journeyman boilermaker status recognized throughout the industry. The JATC structure provides apprentices access to union benefits, wage protections, and career continuity across a range of industrial employers. Boilermakers are integral to power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities, making this a trade with strong, ongoing demand.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$32

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

576

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

4 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

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

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration4 years
Starting wage$20.00/hr
Journeyman wage$32.30/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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