Boilermaker salary in Michigan
Median $47.22 an hour for — boilermakers, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
$47.22/hrMedian hourly wageMichigan, May data
$98,220/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$23.28 – $51.5210th to 90th percentilehourly range
—Jobs countedemployer survey
Boilermaker pay in Michigan: the full range
Michigan ranks 5th of 37 states for median boilermaker pay, and 5th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $49.09). — boilermakers work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.2× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $23.28 – $35.82 | $48,430 – $74,500 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $35.82 – $48.13 | $74,500 – $100,110 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $48.13 – $51.52 | $100,110 – $107,150 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Boilermaker pay by metro in Michigan
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $35.82 | $48.13 | $51.52 | — | 2% above |
Boilermaker wages in Michigan over time
Table
| Year | Michigan $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $23.42 | $45.26 | $18.09 | 1,600 |
| 2000 | $23.28 | $43.52 | $17.80 | 960 |
| 2001 | $24.91 | $45.28 | $19.06 | 680 |
| 2002 | $26.11 | $46.73 | $20.17 | 1,030 |
| 2003 | $25.08 | $43.88 | $20.79 | 750 |
| 2004 | $25.07 | $42.73 | $21.68 | 780 |
| 2005 | $24.77 | $40.83 | $23.10 | 800 |
| 2006 | $24.08 | $38.45 | $22.58 | 630 |
| 2007 | $25.09 | $38.96 | $24.38 | 510 |
| 2008 | $26.06 | $38.97 | $25.13 | 450 |
| 2009 | $29.63 | $44.46 | $26.97 | 530 |
| 2010 | $32.83 | $48.47 | $26.27 | 400 |
| 2011 | $32.32 | $46.26 | $27.36 | 290 |
| 2012 | $21.92 | $30.74 | $27.19 | 460 |
| 2013 | $26.12 | $36.10 | $27.74 | 520 |
| 2014 | $23.43 | $31.86 | $28.78 | 470 |
| 2015 | $33.44 | $45.42 | $28.90 | 260 |
| 2016 | $33.60 | $45.07 | $29.84 | 210 |
| 2017 | $32.95 | $43.28 | $29.93 | — |
| 2018 | $35.47 | $45.48 | $29.88 | — |
| 2019 | $36.23 | $45.62 | $30.34 | 640 |
| 2020 | $38.05 | $47.33 | $31.42 | 510 |
| 2021 | $36.30 | $43.13 | $30.91 | 970 |
| 2022 | $35.99 | $39.59 | $32.17 | 1,310 |
| 2023 | $40.49 | $42.78 | $34.20 | 720 |
| 2024 | $31.94 | $32.78 | $35.26 | 500 |
| 2025 | $47.22 | $47.22 | $36.74 | — |
In today's dollars, the median boilermaker wage in Michigan changed by +4.0% over the last ten years of data and by +3.5% since 2019.
Outlook for boilermakers in Michigan
-8.0%Projected growth in Michigan2024–2034, state agency
40Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
500Jobs in 2024460 projected for 2034
-1.8%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison
Michigan's labor market agency projects the number of boilermakers in the state to change by -8.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 500 to 460, with about 40 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects -1.8% over 2025-35.
Source: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for boilermakers in Michigan
On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay boilermakers at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 83 of the 83 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $81.14 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $47.22.
Union contract rateSurvey rate
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcona | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260102 |
| Alger | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260103 |
| Allegan | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260104 |
| Alpena | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260105 |
| Antrim | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260106 |
| Arenac | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260107 |
| Baraga | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260108 |
| Benzie | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260109 |
| Branch | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260110 |
| Charlevoix | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260111 |
| Cheboygan | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260112 |
| Chippewa | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260113 |
| Clare | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260114 |
| Crawford | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260115 |
| Delta | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260116 |
| Dickinson | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260117 |
| Emmet | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260118 |
| Gladwin | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260119 |
| Gogebic | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260120 |
| Grand Traverse | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260121 |
| Gratiot | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260122 |
| Hillsdale | Union BOIL0085-004 2025-01-06 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260123 |
| Houghton | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260124 |
| Huron | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260125 |
| Iosco | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260126 |
| Iron | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260155 |
| Isabella | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260127 |
| Kalkaska | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260128 |
| Keweenaw | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260155 |
| Lake | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260129 |
| Leelanau | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260130 |
| Lenawee | Union BOIL0085-004 2025-01-06 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260131 |
| Luce | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260132 |
| Mackinac | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260133 |
| Manistee | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260134 |
| Marquette | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260135 |
| Mason | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260136 |
| Mecosta | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260137 |
| Menominee | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260156 |
| Midland | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260138 |
| Missaukee | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260139 |
| Monroe | Union BOIL0085-003 2025-01-06 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260092 |
| Montcalm | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260140 |
| Montmorency | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260141 |
| Oceana | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260142 |
| Ogemaw | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260143 |
| Ontonagon | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260156 |
| Osceola | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260144 |
| Oscoda | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260145 |
| Otsego | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260146 |
| Presque Isle | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260147 |
| Roscommon | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260148 |
| St. Joseph | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260152 |
| Sanilac | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260149 |
| Schoolcraft | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260150 |
| Shiawassee | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260151 |
| Tuscola | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260153 |
| Wexford | Union BOIL0169-002 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $37.64 | $81.14 | MI20260154 |
| Barry | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260076 |
| Bay | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260077 |
| Berrien | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260078 |
| Calhoun | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260079 |
| Cass | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260080 |
| Clinton | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260081 |
| Eaton | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260082 |
| Genesee | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260083 |
| Ingham | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260084 |
| Ionia | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260085 |
| Jackson | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260086 |
| Kalamazoo | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260087 |
| Kent | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260088 |
| Lapeer | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260089 |
| Livingston | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260090 |
| Macomb | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260091 |
| Muskegon | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260093 |
| Newaygo | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260094 |
| Oakland | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260095 |
| Ottawa | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260096 |
| Saginaw | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260097 |
| St. Clair | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260098 |
| Van Buren | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260099 |
| Washtenaw | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260100 |
| Wayne | Union BOIL0169-001 2025-07-01 | $43.50 | $36.74 | $80.24 | MI20260101 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Michigan prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Michigan?
209.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-09
-1.3%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Contractor pay by county
Average pay at specialty trade contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just boilermakers), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages. Across the 73 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 96,108 in 2015 to 124,330 in 2025, +29.4%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson County | 44 | 707 | $102,654 | $1,974 |
| Kalkaska County | 30 | 317 | $100,718 | $1,937 |
| Oakland County | 1,772 | 21,304 | $95,370 | $1,834 |
| Monroe County | 171 | 1,461 | $95,332 | $1,833 |
| Wayne County | 1,431 | 16,808 | $92,147 | $1,772 |
| Genesee County | 436 | 5,228 | $86,793 | $1,669 |
| Muskegon County | 182 | 1,898 | $84,641 | $1,628 |
| Macomb County | 1,380 | 12,658 | $84,297 | $1,621 |
| Washtenaw County | 368 | 3,154 | $84,026 | $1,616 |
| Kent County | 974 | 13,928 | $83,955 | $1,615 |
| Kalamazoo County | 288 | 4,400 | $82,733 | $1,591 |
| Calhoun County | 143 | 1,463 | $82,475 | $1,586 |
| St. Joseph County | 66 | 525 | $80,599 | $1,550 |
| Saginaw County | 229 | 1,846 | $80,538 | $1,549 |
| Isabella County | 101 | 1,190 | $80,300 | $1,544 |
| Ionia County | 71 | 656 | $79,961 | $1,538 |
| Livingston County | 459 | 3,374 | $79,400 | $1,527 |
| Eaton County | 130 | 1,140 | $78,942 | $1,518 |
| Ingham County | 238 | 2,651 | $78,651 | $1,513 |
| Jackson County | 186 | 1,730 | $76,631 | $1,474 |
| Clinton County | 134 | 1,700 | $76,063 | $1,463 |
| Ottawa County | 649 | 4,614 | $74,104 | $1,425 |
| Allegan County | 267 | 2,255 | $72,867 | $1,401 |
| St. Clair County | 284 | 1,678 | $71,889 | $1,382 |
| Roscommon County | 47 | 202 | $70,909 | $1,364 |
| Lapeer County | 166 | 938 | $70,695 | $1,360 |
| Midland County | 115 | 1,140 | $70,277 | $1,351 |
| Grand Traverse County | 259 | 1,727 | $69,429 | $1,335 |
| Berrien County | 195 | 1,202 | $67,382 | $1,296 |
| Bay County | 112 | 861 | $66,756 | $1,284 |
| Benzie County | 49 | 417 | $66,482 | $1,278 |
| Gladwin County | 38 | 277 | $66,460 | $1,278 |
| Marquette County | 94 | 755 | $66,403 | $1,277 |
| Cheboygan County | 71 | 315 | $65,778 | $1,265 |
| Montcalm County | 85 | 504 | $65,482 | $1,259 |
| Otsego County | 59 | 302 | $64,905 | $1,248 |
| Sanilac County | 58 | 261 | $64,387 | $1,238 |
| Emmet County | 154 | 847 | $64,131 | $1,233 |
| Shiawassee County | 112 | 508 | $63,971 | $1,230 |
| Van Buren County | 85 | 513 | $63,643 | $1,224 |
| Cass County | 52 | 192 | $63,469 | $1,221 |
| Lenawee County | 113 | 546 | $62,815 | $1,208 |
| Barry County | 98 | 453 | $62,440 | $1,201 |
| Clare County | 39 | 225 | $61,982 | $1,192 |
| Oscoda County | 10 | 45 | $61,846 | $1,189 |
| Manistee County | 40 | 196 | $61,612 | $1,185 |
| Newaygo County | 69 | 412 | $60,976 | $1,173 |
| Oceana County | 36 | 214 | $60,721 | $1,168 |
| Missaukee County | 29 | 134 | $59,820 | $1,150 |
| Chippewa County | 60 | 276 | $59,478 | $1,144 |
| Gogebic County | 26 | 133 | $59,137 | $1,137 |
| Branch County | 51 | 410 | $58,854 | $1,132 |
| Delta County | 66 | 285 | $58,693 | $1,129 |
| Alpena County | 50 | 268 | $58,199 | $1,119 |
| Houghton County | 64 | 356 | $58,184 | $1,119 |
| Charlevoix County | 73 | 292 | $57,039 | $1,097 |
| Schoolcraft County | 18 | 84 | $56,265 | $1,082 |
| Antrim County | 50 | 214 | $56,250 | $1,082 |
| Huron County | 72 | 341 | $55,706 | $1,071 |
| Osceola County | 35 | 144 | $54,441 | $1,047 |
| Gratiot County | 44 | 151 | $54,424 | $1,047 |
| Menominee County | 23 | 96 | $54,041 | $1,039 |
| Mecosta County | 31 | 111 | $53,461 | $1,028 |
| Tuscola County | 84 | 456 | $52,569 | $1,011 |
| Arenac County | 29 | 91 | $51,684 | $994 |
| Iosco County | 45 | 147 | $51,195 | $985 |
| Crawford County | 9 | 46 | $51,107 | $983 |
| Lake County | 13 | 48 | $49,777 | $957 |
| Ogemaw County | 46 | 156 | $48,850 | $939 |
| Mason County | 54 | 230 | $48,356 | $930 |
| Hillsdale County | 60 | 205 | $48,095 | $925 |
| Presque Isle County | 22 | 59 | $47,912 | $921 |
| Mackinac County | 27 | 89 | $47,555 | $915 |
| Iron County | 28 | 91 | $44,853 | $863 |
| Alcona County | 12 | 32 | $42,309 | $814 |
| Alger County | — | — | — | — |
| Baraga County | — | — | — | — |
| Keweenaw County | — | — | — | — |
| Leelanau County | — | — | — | — |
| Luce County | — | — | — | — |
| Montmorency County | — | — | — | — |
| Ontonagon County | — | — | — | — |
| Wexford County | — | — | — | — |
Keep comparing
Boilermaker pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Michigan
More on Michigan
Questions this page answers
How much do boilermakers make in Michigan?
The median boilermaker in Michigan earned $47.22 an hour ($98,220 a year) in May 2025, 29% above the national median of $36.74. The middle half earn $35.82–$48.13; the top 10% earn more than $51.52.
Where does Michigan rank for boilermaker pay?
Michigan ranks 5th of 37 states for boilermaker pay, with a median of $47.22 an hour, and 5th after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).
What is the union boilermaker rate in Michigan?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for boilermakers in 83 counties, with a typical package of $81.14 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many boilermakers work in Michigan?
BLS counted — boilermakers in Michigan in May 2025, 0.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.00; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is boilermaker work growing in Michigan?
Michigan's labor market agency projects -8.0% growth for boilermakers between 2024 and 2034, from 500 to 460 jobs.
How many boilermaker openings a year are there in Michigan?
Michigan projects about 40 openings a year for boilermakers over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 700 a year.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Michigan and metro areas, SOC 47-2011. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
- State projection: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.