6. Boilermaker — $80,000 to $116,000
Boilermakers assemble, install, and maintain boilers, pressure vessels, and large storage tanks used in power generation, chemical processing, and industrial manufacturing. The occupation requires welding certification, knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and the ability to work in physically confined and high-temperature environments.
The national median for boilermakers is $66,920 according to the BLS — but that figure includes entry-level and non-union workers. Union boilermakers through the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers earn substantially more. In 2026, journeyman boilermakers in union contracts in the Midwest and Gulf Coast states earn $38 to $56 per hour, producing annual incomes of $80,000 to $116,000 for full-time work. During industrial maintenance shutdowns — which can last two to six weeks and involve mandatory overtime — total earnings for a single shutdown can reach $15,000 to $25,000.
7. Electrical Power Line Installer — $80,000 to $112,000
Line workers install and maintain the electrical transmission and distribution systems that carry power from generation plants to homes and businesses. The work involves climbing poles and towers, working at significant heights, and operating in all weather conditions. The pay reflects both the skill and the risk.
| Position | Average Annual Pay | Storm Work Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Line Worker | $48,000 – $62,000 | Time + half |
| Journeyman Line Worker | $80,000 – $98,000 | Double time |
| Lineman Foreman | $95,000 – $112,000 | Double time + per diem |
The energy transition is creating a structural long-term demand surge for line workers. The US Department of Energy estimates that the country needs to add or replace 100,000 miles of transmission lines by 2035 to support renewable energy integration. Utilities including Duke Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Xcel Energy are running paid apprenticeship programs with no upfront cost and guaranteed employment on completion.
8. Ironworker (Structural) — $72,000 to $108,000
Structural ironworkers erect the steel frameworks of skyscrapers, bridges, stadiums, and industrial facilities. It is among the most physically demanding and genuinely dangerous trades — and the compensation reflects that. Union ironworkers through the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers earn $35 to $52 per hour in major metro areas, producing annual incomes of $72,000 to $108,000.
New York City ironworkers are in a category of their own: the current Local 40 journeyman rate in Manhattan is $62.74 per hour in base wages plus benefits, producing total compensation packages exceeding $140,000 for full-time workers. These are not theoretical maximums — they are the standard rate for anyone holding a journeyman card in that local.