Boilermaker Vs. Fitter and Turner, Which Career Is Better?

While choosing a technical career, it is normal to find yourself confused between the many options, especially if they’re closely related.

If you are wondering whether you should become a boilermaker or a fitter and turner, this article is just for you.

We will discuss the many relevant points and try to rank both careers in real-time, so stick until the end to find out.

Boilermaker Vs. Fitter and Turner, Which Career Is Better?

In short, Boilermaker is regarded as better because they earn more than Fitter and Turner. Fitters and Turners, on the other hand, are considered more interesting and varied roles, since boiler designs do not alter significantly. Boilermakers are in higher demand than Fitters and Turners.

Both careers have a somewhat similar market scope, and it isn’t easy to rank one over the other.

Either career you choose, you’ll have to put up with a demanding routine where most of the work revolves around physical exertion and technical skills.

To give you a clearer picture, let us break down both careers for you.

Boilermaker Vs. Fitter and Turner, What’s The Difference?

A Boilermaker is a tradesperson who fabricates boilers and other large containers intended to retain hot gas or liquid out of steel, iron, or copper, as well as maintains and repairs boilers and boiler systems. A Fitter and Turner create metal industrial tools, components, and products.

So now we got that answered let’s take a closer look at what Boilermakers and Fitters And Turners do every day.

What Are Boilermakers?

Boilermakers are individuals skilled in repairing, maintaining, and operating large boilers or any vessel that holds liquid or gas inside it.

Since boilers are an integral part of any residential or commercial building, boilermakers are never out of work.

Boilers use electric power to heat water or produce steam for common or industrial usage.

Companies hire boilermakers to keep an eye on existing boilers or make new ones whenever needed.

The Duties:
If you’re a boilermaker, your duties might include deciphering blueprints to determine the necessary details of a boiler or vat.

You can also be tasked with installing small pre-made boilers in an establishment or putting together parts of a huge boiler to assemble it.

The assembly is usually carried out with automatic machinery and robotic arms, so boilermakers must also have the general know-how of automation technology.

Of course, the maintenance of the boiler also requires regular checkups for leaks or damage to prepare for any imminent defects.

The maintenance process also includes cleaning the tank with industrial solvents or wire brushes for maximum efficiency.

Lastly, boilers have many smaller components that require maintenance too.

So a boilermaker may have to replace broken joints or troubleshoot the machine to find damaged parts and fix them using heavy tools.

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What Are Fitters And Turners?

On the other hand, fitters and turners are individuals tasked with fabricating industrial tools and components, primarily consisting of metal.

They may have to fulfill customer demands and use heavy machinery and cutting tools to carry out their operations.

After the cutting, fitters, and turners assemble the product to make it usable for a particular project.

The Duties:
If you plan to become a fitter and turner, your duties might include cutting, grinding, or shaping metal components and other hard materials.

Since you’ll be given a blueprint or direct instructions on carrying out a certain task, you must have the necessary blueprint deciphering skills to deliver the ideal results.

Of course, the heavy machinery is no joke to handle, so fitter sand turners often receive training before starting their daily job.

You might also be given some fabricated parts for assembling or reassembly to produce wanted tools or machinery.

Additionally, machines need proper maintenance, just like the tools used in daily practice.

So fitters and turners diagnose the working parts of the machinery or tools and repair the damaged ones while continuously maintaining the normal working of the said items.

They may also have to tweak or adjust the process to fit any current situation.

Is Boiler Maker Easier Or Harder Than Becoming A Fitter & Turner?

When you’re entering a world of demanding jobs, it is often crucial to keep in mind the process you’ll have to go through to get to your dream job.

Below we will discuss how you become a boilermaker or a fitter and turner.

We will devise a direct comparison so you can make an informed choice.

Becoming a boilermaker requires you to go through an apprenticeship program where experts will guide you directly in a realistic environment and help you learn the many tools, practices, and skills needed for the job.

The apprenticeship program typically lasts for four years, where they learn all there is to know about metal boilers and how to maintain them for seamless operations effectively.

Boilermakers receive workshop training on deciphering blueprints and understanding a client’s demand, so the final product is viable.

You can also get a license for your practice, but the regulations and laws around it vary with each state.

Boilermakers usually have:

Excellent mechanical skills
Endurance
Physical Strength
No fear of heights and confined spaces

Contrarily, becoming a fitter and turner requires you to go through an extensive apprenticeship program to get your certification and learn the relevant concepts around this career choice.

You’ll often work under the direct supervision of an authoritative figure that will manage and report on your training progress.

Of course, it could be a while before you work on your first major project, and a major part of learning would go into designing mock assemblies or doing the grunt work.

Fitters and Turners usually have:

Excellent coordination skills
Knowledge of the industrial sector
Creative Skills
Physical strength

 

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Boilermaker Or Fitter and Turner, Who Earns More?

Boilermakers earn more than Fitters & Turners, with Boilermakers earning $65,360 per year compared to fitters and turners who make around $47,145 annually, according to a report from May 2020. 

You can see that boilermakers have a much more lucrative pay than their counterparts.

So if your choice is mainly influenced by the prospective rewards, choosing boilermaker as a career is ideal.

That being said, geographic location will undoubtedly have an impact on overall earning potential.

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Final Thoughts

Boilermaker is thought to be better because they earn more than Fitter and Turner. Fitters and Turners, on the other hand, are thought to have more stimulating and varied jobs because boiler designs do not change much. Fitters and Turners are in higher demand than boilermakers.

We’ve tried to make it easy for you to choose between two viable career options for anyone motivated enough to conquer a demanding job.

You must ensure that you read this article thoroughly before making the final decision to have all the information you need to end up successful.

We hope you can now effectively differentiate between the career expectancy of a boilermaker and a fitter & turner. Good luck!

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References

https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/fitter-and-turner
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/boilermakers.htm#tab-4