Boilermakers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Conduct pressure tests on vessels, such as boilers.78
• Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships, or dimensions of parts.77
• Assemble large vessels in an on-site fabrication shop prior to installation to ensure proper fit.74
• Examine boilers, pressure vessels, tanks, or vats to locate defects, such as leaks, weak spots, or defective sections, so that they can be repaired.73
• Inspect assembled vessels or individual components, such as tubes, fittings, valves, controls, or auxiliary mechanisms, to locate any defects.71
• Lay out plate, sheet steel, or other heavy metal and locate and mark bending and cutting lines, using protractors, compasses, and drawing instruments or templates.69
• Bell, bead with power hammers, or weld pressure vessel tube ends to ensure leakproof joints.68
• Locate and mark reference points for columns or plates on boiler foundations, following blueprints and using straightedges, squares, transits, or measuring instruments.67
• Shape or fabricate parts, such as stacks, uptakes, or chutes, to adapt pressure vessels, heat exchangers, or piping to premises, using heavy-metalworking machines such as brakes, rolls, or drill presses.65
• Position, align, and secure structural parts or related assemblies to boiler frames, tanks, or vats of pressure vessels, following blueprints.63
• Clean pressure vessel equipment, using scrapers, wire brushes, and cleaning solvents.63
• Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts, such as safety valves or regulators, using torches, jacks, caulking hammers, power saws, threading dies, welding equipment, or metalworking machinery.62

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Operations Monitoring75

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Operation and Control69

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Critical Thinking63

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Equipment Maintenance53

  Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

• Quality Control Analysis53

  Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

• Repairing53

  Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

• Troubleshooting53

  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Active Learning50

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Active Listening50

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Complex Problem Solving50

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Equipment Selection50

  Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

• Judgment and Decision Making50

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Mechanical79

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• English Language57

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Mathematics55

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Administration and Management48

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Building and Construction46

  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

• Computers and Electronics40

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Physics38

  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

• Design37

  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Engineering and Technology37

  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

• Customer and Personal Service34

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Production and Processing29

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Administrative28

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Control Precision75

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Near Vision75

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Deductive Reasoning72

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Problem Sensitivity72

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness69

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Finger Dexterity69

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Manual Dexterity69

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Multilimb Coordination66

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Inductive Reasoning63

  The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

• Oral Comprehension53

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Auditory Attention50

  The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

• Category Flexibility50

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment78

  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Getting Information74

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials74

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems69

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment68

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Performing General Physical Activities68

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events67

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge64

  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates62

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Handling and Moving Objects60

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards59

  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People59

  Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Dependability85

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Attention to Detail83

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Cautiousness80

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Perseverance59

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Integrity46

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Stress Tolerance46

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Achievement Orientation44

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Self-Control37

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Cooperation35

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Self-Confidence29

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Intellectual Curiosity22

  A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

• Initiative18

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic100

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional45

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Investigative22

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Artistic0

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Enterprising0

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Social0

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Telephone Conversations

  • Every day96%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day92%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others73%
  • Contact with others most of the time24%

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

• Duration of Typical Work Week

  • More than 40 hours80%
  • 40 hours20%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important55%
  • Very important43%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important55%
  • Very important35%

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day54%
  • Once a month or more but not every week18%

• Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

  • Extremely important37%
  • Very important52%

• E-Mail

  • Every day53%
  • Once a week or more but not every day24%

• Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

  • Once a month or more but not every week17%

• Frequency of Decision Making

  • Once a month or more but not every week24%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Post-secondary certificate
• Some college, no degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Electronic mail software

  Microsoft Outlook

• Computer based training software

  Health and safety training software

• Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  SAP software

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Operating system software

  Microsoft Windows

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Computer aided design CAD software

  Autodesk AutoCAD

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• American Welding Society
• National Association of Construction Boilermaker Employees
• Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• National Center for Construction Education and Research
• United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Millwrights
• Helpers, Construction Trades
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
• Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
• Structural Iron and Steel Workers
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
• Helpers, Construction Trades
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
• Industrial and Refractory Machinery Mechanics
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers
• Electrical, Electronics, and Electromechanical Assemblers
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Test products for functionality or quality.
• Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
• Assemble products or production equipment.
• Inspect industrial or commercial equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Mark reference points on construction materials.
• Weld metal components.
• Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
• Fabricate parts or components.
• Clean equipment or facilities.
• Install metal structural components.
• Position structural components.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Boilerhouse Mechanic
• Boilermaker Fitter
• Boilermaker I
• Boilermaker Ii