Boilermaker and structural welding roles in Perth, Western Australia.
Boilermaking is one of Western Australia's highest paid trades, and the reason is straightforward: the resources sector cannot run without structural steel fabrication, repair and maintenance, and the qualified pool has never quite kept up with demand.
The trade qualification is a Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade), the same base qualification as welding, but boilermakers work more broadly across marking out, cutting, forming, fitting and welding structural components. In WA that means mining infrastructure, conveyor systems, process plant, pressure vessels and marine fabrication.
Career earnings depend heavily on whether you stay in the workshop or go to site. Perth workshop boilermakers earn solidly; FIFO boilermakers on maintenance and shutdown rosters earn considerably more, with accommodation and flights provided. Adding coded welding tickets, confined space and rigging qualifications increases both employability and rate, and experienced boilermakers frequently progress into leading hand and supervision roles on major projects.
Average salary ranges for boilermaker positions in Perth:
| Position Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Apprentice Boilermaker | $40,000 - $60,000 |
| Qualified Boilermaker (workshop) | $85,000 - $105,000 |
| Site Boilermaker | $105,000 - $130,000 |
| FIFO Boilermaker | $125,000 - $160,000 |
| Shutdown Boilermaker | $135,000 - $175,000 |
| Leading Hand / Supervisor | $150,000 - $190,000 |
Market Outlook: Acute shortage. Boilermakers appear consistently on WA skills shortage lists, with resources maintenance schedules, shutdown campaigns and defence shipbuilding at Henderson all competing for the same limited pool.
Common qualifications and certifications required for boilermaker positions:
Work Environment: Workshop or site fabrication involving heat, heavy materials, working at heights and confined spaces. FIFO rosters run 12-hour shifts with camp accommodation, meals and flights provided. Shutdown campaigns are intensive but time-limited.
Major companies hiring for boilermaker positions:
See the full pay breakdown by experience level in our Boilermaker salary guide, including entry-level through senior ranges and the qualifications employers expect.