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Salary comparison

Boilermakers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers out-earn Boilermakers by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Boilermakers land at $76,410 and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers at $79,920. The education gap is real: boilermaker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Boilermakers is California ($118,150); for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers it's Washington ($109,570).

Boilermakers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Median salary
$76,410
$79,920
Hourly rate
$36.74/hr
$38.42/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$50,490
$53,280
Senior level (90th %)
$110,370
$128,260
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
10,190
812,210
Job growth (10-year)
-2.4%
5.3%
Category
Construction & Trades
Construction & Trades
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Boilermakers median pay.

State
Boilermakers
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
California
$118,150
$97,680
Illinois
$99,730
$105,750
Wisconsin
$97,590
$85,350
Minnesota
$96,190
$97,610
Washington
$95,200
$109,570
Indiana
$91,410
$82,530
Colorado
$89,350
$81,230
Pennsylvania
$86,850
$81,540
New Hampshire
$85,470
$81,220
New York
$84,770
$95,700
New Jersey
$82,410
$105,510
Connecticut
$80,360
$92,260
Missouri
$78,550
$87,520
West Virginia
$63,850
$80,060
Nevada
$61,430
$81,990

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Boilermakers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn more nationally. The median is $76,410 for Boilermakers versus $79,920 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Boilermakers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.3% projected growth, compared to -2.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Boilermakers or First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers?

Boilermakers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Boilermakers get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Boilermakers at $118,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Boilermakers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Boilermakers earn $118,150 vs. $97,680 for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Boilermakers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Boilermakers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a boilermakersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workersGuide →