Best States for Boilermakers

Ranked by median salary, with cost-of-living adjustments. Find where boilermakers earn the most and have the best purchasing power.

+5.9% projected growth

Faster than average (national avg: +4%, +1.9pp)

State Rankings

Rank	State	Median	COL-Adjusted	Employment
1	South CarolinaSC	$124,400	$136,703	0
2	WashingtonWA	$113,970	$106,216	150
3	CaliforniaCA	$107,600	$95,053	690
4	MinnesotaMN	$102,730	$103,978	0
5	WisconsinWI	$97,410	$104,517	170
6	IllinoisIL	$95,340	$96,303	150
7	PennsylvaniaPA	$87,710	$89,683	460
8	ColoradoCO	$86,980	$82,838	0
9	ConnecticutCT	$85,480	$79,590	70
10	IndianaIN	$83,500	$91,557	200
11	MontanaMT	$83,200	$86,218	60
12	New JerseyNJ	$80,560	$71,229	310
13	LouisianaLA	$76,320	$83,868	1,620
14	WyomingWY	$76,050	$79,384	110
15	ArizonaAZ	$75,770	$77,554	0
16	New YorkNY	$75,060	$64,931	120
17	ArkansasAR	$74,780	$86,053	60
18	KentuckyKY	$73,340	$82,404	300
19	NevadaNV	$73,220	$73,074	90
20	IdahoID	$71,700	$74,147	100
21	New HampshireNH	$70,530	$65,978	40
22	IowaIA	$68,410	$76,180	0
23	MichiganMI	$66,440	$71,364	500
24	TexasTX	$64,190	$66,518	2,440
25	New MexicoNM	$63,480	$67,604	60
26	NebraskaNE	$63,310	$69,571	40
27	GeorgiaGA	$63,240	$67,927	230
28	AlabamaAL	$63,220	$71,923	240
29	MissouriMO	$62,490	$70,056	0
30	West VirginiaWV	$61,660	$70,388	40
31	OhioOH	$61,520	$67,753	210
32	MarylandMD	$61,030	$55,634	80
33	VirginiaVA	$60,440	$58,396	200
34	FloridaFL	$53,690	$53,690	0
35	TennesseeTN	$49,810	$54,437	290
36	North CarolinaNC	$45,760	$48,994	160
37	MississippiMS	$0	$0	250

Analysis

The top three states for boilermakers by median salary are South Carolina, Washington, and California. However, when adjusted for cost of living, the rankings may shift — states with lower living costs can offer greater real purchasing power even with lower nominal salaries.

Explore by State

Click any state to see detailed salary data, metro breakdowns, and career information.