Whether you’re just out of high school or fresh out of a job, a career in the steam industry can be one of the smartest choices you’ll ever make. WARE has some amazing opportunities for you. Read on and see what your next great decision could look like.
SATISFACTION
First and foremost, a career in the steam industry is a very gratifying experience on many levels, so you can feel good about what you do. Think about it: 80% of every product in the world was touched by steam at some part of its manufacturing or transport, so a career in steam literally helps keep the country moving. Just imagine looking around every day and knowing you helped make everything happen. That’s some American pride. And it comes with the job.
IT MATTERS
A career in steam comes with a deep sense of purpose. You’re working with your hands to harness one of the most powerful and essential energy sources on the planet. Steam plays a vital role in keeping hospitals safe by sterilizing surgical instruments to prevent infection. It’s used to provide consistent heat and sanitation for food production, ensuring the safety and quality of what ends up on grocery store shelves. In residential settings, steam systems restore reliable hot water and heating—often for vulnerable populations like senior citizens during the coldest months. Steam is even used in manufacturing pharmaceuticals, where precise temperature control is critical for quality and safety. When you work in this field, you're not just fixing systems you’re supporting the infrastructure that keeps people healthy, nourished, and protected. The impact that steam has on some of the most important things in our world simply can’t be overstated. And you can be right there, at the center of it all.
STABILITY
The constant demand for current steam production, coupled with the growing need as the world expands, means steam is a growing field. That means it’s a stable field. In fact, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for boiler operators is projected to grow at a rate comparable to or slightly higher than that of all industries from 2021 to 2031. According to Research and Markets, the U.S. Boiler Market was valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 7.9 billion by 2034, rising at a CAGR of 5.7%. That means you’ll have a lot of opportunities, and a lot of job security.
THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB
So what, exactly, makes someone a great boiler technician?
At WARE, we have some pretty clear definitions of what we expect out of the techs in our fleet.
The first quality of a great WARE boiler technician is a balance of confidence and humility. Our team members know their craft and earn trust through competence but they also stay grounded, respectful, and open to learning. That mindset doesn’t just build better relationships; it builds better technicians.
Another key trait is independence and initiative. No two boiler jobs are the same, and conditions in the field can change fast. WARE technicians are problem solvers who can think on their feet and get the job done, even in challenging situations all while upholding WARE’s high standards for quality and safety.
Mechanical skill is also essential. Whether it’s assembling a burner system, dialing in a control loop, or troubleshooting a pressure drop, our technicians work hands-on with valves, motors, gauges, and other critical components every day.
WARE technicians also have a strong drive to serve. This is a career where what you do matters. You might be restoring heat to a classroom full of kids on a freezing morning, or giving storm survivors the comfort of a hot shower after days without one. It’s real work that makes a real difference.
Logic and innovation round out the picture. Some problems in the field are straightforward. Others require sharp thinking and creative solutions like getting a plant back online when the part you need is four hours away.
Finally, clear communication is a must. Understanding the customer’s concerns helps you diagnose the problem faster. Keeping them informed builds trust and keeps the job moving smoothly.If that sounds like you, there’s a good chance you’re a WARE person.
SKILLS
As far as the technician skill set goes, some boiler technicians are born, and some are made. Mechanical inclination is a big plus, but that doesn’t have to be limited to pipes and wrenches. In WARE’s experience, people from other trades like IT technicians, electricians, mechanics, and other hands-on workers end up making exceptional boiler technicians because they already come with a problem-solving mindset, a degree of technical curiosity, and the ability to think logically about a physical problem. But even if you don’t have any of these skills, WARE’s Boiler University can teach you. Our instructors are all seasoned pros with decades of combined experience who take pride in developing the next generation of steam professionals with every class.
IT TAKES ALL KINDS
There’s plenty of room and opportunity for you in the steam business. Project managers are needed to ensure customer’s timelines are met and the project is to their satisfaction and needs. Salespeople are needed to get customers to buy and rent boilers. Shop personnel are crucial to the repair and maintenance of boiler pressure vessels and other boiler parts. If you’re not easily overwhelmed, you could consider working among the many, many shelves of WARE’s BoilerWAREhouse.com, North America’s largest online supplier of boiler parts. We need plenty of accounting, shipping and receiving, HR and marketing personnel to keep things moving here, as well. So whatever you’re good at, you’ll find a great place to do it at WARE.
WHY WARE
There are a lot of steam boiler companies out there, but only WARE has our culture, and only WARE can turn out WARE-level technicians. Let’s dive a little deeper into what that means, and why it’s important.
WARE’s culture is unlike anything else you’ll find in any boiler company, or pretty much any other kind of company. You see, lots of places say they’re “like a family”, but WARE truly means it on every level. We take care of each other. We support each other. We invest in each other with our time, our effort, our heart, and our minds. Funny thing is, when you build a culture that treats its employees well, that culture trickles out into the way that company treats its customers. That’s why WARE’s customers are always well taken care of, and that’s why they keep coming back.
Another thing that’s unique to our culture is, when we say we put people first, we not only mean it, but we also live it. WARE is a company built on respect, integrity, and doing the right thing every time, all the time, no exceptions. That means supporting each other, and helping every employee become better at what they do every day. We’re not divided into teams, our whole company is a team, and we always have each other’s backs through every day, and every job.
IT PAYS OFF
At WARE, we feel that if you make someone feel valued by investing time and effort into them, they will rise to fill those expectations. That’s why we invest in our people from day one with our mentorship program. In this program, new trainees are paired with seasoned professionals for hands-on learning in our Boiler University classrooms and laboratories, which are the only ones of their kind in the world. From there, trainees will get real field experience under the guidance of other seasoned boiler professionals, so they can learn firsthand how everything works from someone who knows how it’s done.
But it’s not just about technical skills. A great boiler technician is one who knows how to interact with customers and knows how to handle any situation. That’s why WARE has regular “soft skills” seminars in which we share experiences and ideas about customer interaction. You see, it doesn’t matter if you’re the best in the world with a wrench if you can’t put customers at ease and project an air of confidence and capability. That’s the “Humble Swag” we talked about earlier, and it’s crucial to helping our people be the best they can be.
Once you’re through the mentorship program, you’ll not only have a full array of useful skills under your belt, but you’ll also have the ability to make at least $40 per hour and up. And that’s just for starters. You’ll also have the opportunity to grow and rise up in the company. Put in the work, and you’ll reap the rewards.
When all is said and done, WARE invests around $100,000 in resources in every boiler technician we train. That’s why our techs are the best in the business. WARE gives its technicians other perks, as well. For instance, WARE technicians are provided with a company truck. We also provide all our employees with a 401k (100% company match) to help them save for retirement. We offer paid vacations, and great health, dental, and vision insurance, too. Not to mention providing our techs with the opportunity to potentially travel the world servicing and installing boilers across the globe. Remember, steam is everywhere. Which means WARE is everywhere, too.
If you’re considering a career in the steam industry, WARE is your best choice for a career that matters, with rewarding work and a whole array of other rewards to go with it. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, consider taking a few courses at WARE’s Boiler University to see what you think. Then, when you’re ready to make that big move, check out our available careers and find a place for yourself in the industry that offers so much to so many.
FAQ
Q: Why consider a career in the steam industry?
A: A career in the steam industry offers meaningful, hands-on work that powers essential systems like hospitals, food production, and manufacturing. It’s a rewarding path with long-term stability and the satisfaction of making a real impact every day.
Q: What does a boiler technician do?
A: Boiler technicians install, repair, and maintain steam boiler systems. Their work includes troubleshooting mechanical issues, ensuring safe operation, and supporting critical infrastructure in schools, hospitals, factories, and more.
Q: What skills are needed to become a boiler technician?
A: Mechanical aptitude, logical thinking, and a problem-solving mindset are essential. Experience in trades like IT, electrical, or mechanical work is helpful but even without it, WARE’s Boiler University can train you from the ground up.
Q: Is there job security in the steam industry?
A: Yes. The demand for steam systems is growing, with the U.S. Boiler Market expected to reach $7.9 billion by 2034. Boiler technician jobs are projected to grow steadily, offering strong job security and long-term career potential.
Q: Can I start a steam career without experience?
A: Absolutely. WARE trains new recruits through mentorships, hands-on classes at Boiler University, and real-world field experience. No prior boiler knowledge required.
Q: What makes WARE different from other steam companies?
A: WARE has a unique, people-first culture that invests in every employee. From mentorship to high-quality benefits and a commitment to respect and teamwork, WARE builds not just technicians, but careers.
Q: What is WARE’s Boiler University?
A: Boiler University is WARE’s training center where new technicians learn from seasoned pros through classroom instruction, lab work, and field experience. It’s one of the only facilities of its kind in the world.
Q: What kind of jobs are available in the steam industry besides boiler tech?
A: The industry offers roles in project management, sales, shipping and receiving, accounting, marketing, HR, and more. Whether you prefer technical, logistical, or business roles, there’s a fit for you at WARE.
Q: How much can I earn as a boiler technician at WARE?
A: Entry-level technicians at WARE can make $40 per hour or more, with opportunities for raises, advancement, and travel. WARE also provides 401k matching, health benefits, and paid vacation.
Q: What kind of benefits does WARE offer its employees?
A: WARE offers competitive pay, paid time off, health, dental, and vision insurance, company trucks for technicians, a 401k with 100% match, and opportunities to travel globally for work.