Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.

On the job, you would:

Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.

Important Qualities

Ability to work at heights. Ironworkers must not be afraid to work at great heights. For example, workers connecting girders during skyscraper construction may have to walk on narrow beams that are 50 stories or higher.

Balance. Ironworkers often walk on narrow beams, so a good sense of balance is important to keep them from falling.

Critical thinking. Ironworkers need to identify problems, monitor and assess potential risks, and evaluate the best courses of action. They must use logic and reasoning when finding alternatives so that they safely accomplish their tasks

Depth perception. Ironworkers often signal crane operators who move beams and bundles of rebar, so they must be able to judge the distance between objects.

Hand-eye coordination. Ironworkers must be able to tie rebar together quickly and precisely.

Physical stamina. Ironworkers must have physical endurance because they spend many hours each day performing physically demanding tasks, such as moving rebar.

Physical strength. Ironworkers must be strong enough to guide heavy beams into place and tighten bolts.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		84%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		84%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		83%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		81%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		77%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		74%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		73%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		71%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		71%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		66%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
		66%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		64%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		62%	Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
		61%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		60%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		60%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		100%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		72%	Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
		61%	Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		78%	Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
		78%	Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
		75%	Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
		75%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		75%	Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
		75%	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
		72%	Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
		72%	Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
		69%	Gross Body Equilibrium - The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
		69%	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
		69%	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
		69%	Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
		69%	Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
		66%	Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
		66%	Dynamic Strength - The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
		66%	Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
		63%	Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
		63%	Rate Control - The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
		63%	Stamina - The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
		60%	Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
		60%	Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
		56%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		56%	Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
		53%	Response Orientation - The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
		53%	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
		53%	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
		53%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		53%	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
		53%	Gross Body Coordination - The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.

Verify alignment of structures or equipment.

Install metal structural components.

Position structural components.

Fabricate parts or components.

Position structural components.

Cut metal components for installation.

Weld metal components.

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

Assemble temporary equipment or structures.

Install metal structural components.

Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.

Position structural components.

Install metal structural components.

Dismantle equipment or temporary structures.

Install insulation in equipment or structures.

Install gauges or controls.

Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.

Rivet metal components.

Position safety or support equipment.

Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.

Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.

Signal equipment operators to indicate proper equipment positioning.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
		96%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		95%	Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
		93%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		92%	Exposed to High Places - How often does this job require exposure to high places?
		90%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		88%	Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
		87%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		86%	Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection - How much does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
		85%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		85%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		84%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		83%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		83%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		83%	Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
		81%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		80%	Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
		78%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		77%	Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting - How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
		76%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		73%	In an Open Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)?
		72%	Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions - How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
		71%	Spend Time Walking and Running - How much does this job require walking and running?
		71%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		70%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		68%	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
		67%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		66%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		65%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		64%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
		64%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		64%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		61%	Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
		61%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		61%	Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
		60%	Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance - How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
		60%	Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles - How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, or poles?
		59%	Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
		57%	Outdoors, Under Cover - How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (e.g., structure with roof but no walls)?
		66%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		85%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		81%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		79%	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
		76%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		75%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		73%	Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
		71%	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		69%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		68%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		67%	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		63%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		55%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		54%	Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		53%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		52%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		52%	Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		51%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

What Ironworkers Do

Reinforcing ironworkers install rebar to strengthen concrete walls.

Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support bridges, roads, and other structures.

Duties

Ironworkers typically do the following:

Read and follow blueprints, sketches, and other instructions
Unload and stack prefabricated iron and steel so that it can be lifted with slings
Signal crane operators who lift and position structural and reinforcing iron and steel
Use shears, rod-bending machines, torches, handtools, and welding equipment to cut, bend, and weld the structural and reinforcing iron and steel
Align structural and reinforcing iron and steel vertically and horizontally, using tag lines, plumb bobs, lasers, and levels
Connect iron and steel with bolts, wire, or welds
Install metal decking used in building construction

Structural and reinforcing iron and steel are important components of buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures. Even though the primary metal involved in this work is steel, workers often are known as ironworkers or erectors. Most of the work involves erecting new structures, but some ironworkers also help in the demolition, decommissioning, and rehabilitation of older buildings and bridges.

Structural iron and steel workers erect, place, and join steel girders, columns, and other pieces to form structural frameworks. They also may assemble precut metal buildings and the cranes and derricks that move materials and equipment around the construction site. Some ironworkers install precast walls or work with wood or composite materials.

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms for purposes of reinforcement. Those who work with reinforcing steel (rebar) are sometimes called rod busters, in reference to rods of rebar.

Structural metal fabricators and fitters manufacture metal products in shops that are usually located away from construction sites.

Work Environment

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers held about 22,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of reinforcing iron and rebar workers were as follows:

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors	49%
Self-employed workers	24
Heavy and civil engineering construction	6
Nonresidential building construction	5
Other specialty trade contractors	3

Structural iron and steel workers held about 71,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of structural iron and steel workers were as follows:

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors	45%
Nonresidential building construction	20
Manufacturing	8
Heavy and civil engineering construction	6
Building equipment contractors	4

Ironworkers usually work outside in many types of weather. Some work at great heights. Their tasks are physically demanding, as they spend much of their time moving and stooping to carry, bend, cut, and connect iron or steel at a steady pace so projects stay on schedule.

Injuries and Illnesses

The work of ironworkers can be dangerous. Common injuries include cuts, sprains, overexertion, and falls; from great heights, falls can be deadly. To reduce these risks, ironworkers must wear safety equipment such as harnesses, hard hats, boots, gloves, and safety glasses.

Work Schedules

Most ironworkers work full time. They may have to travel to jobsites.

Structural ironworkers who work at great heights do not work when conditions are wet, icy, or extremely windy. Reinforcing ironworkers may be limited by precipitation.

Getting Started

Education:

42%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

34%

Less than a High School Diploma

How to Become an Ironworker

Many ironworkers learn their trade through a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship.

Most ironworkers learn through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

Education

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally required to enter an apprenticeship. Workers learning through on-the-job training may not need a high school diploma or equivalent. Courses in math, as well as training in vocational subjects such as blueprint reading and welding, are useful.

Training

Many ironworkers learn their trade through a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship. Sponsors of apprenticeship programs, nearly all of which teach both reinforcing and structural ironworking, include unions and contractor associations. For each year of the program, apprentices must have at least 144 hours of related technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Ironworkers who complete an apprenticeship program are considered journey-level workers and may perform tasks without direct supervision.

Other ironworkers receive on-the-job training that varies in length and is provided by their employer.

On the job, apprentices and trainees learn to use the tools and equipment of the trade; handle, measure, cut, and lay rebar; and construct metal frameworks. They also learn about topics such as blueprint reading and sketching, general construction techniques, safety practices, and first aid.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Certifications in welding, rigging, and crane signaling may make ironworkers more attractive to prospective employers. Several organizations provide certifications for different aspects of the work. For example, the American Welding Society offers welding certification, and several organizations offer rigging certifications, including the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, and the National Center for Construction Education and Research.

Advancement

After gaining experience, ironworkers may advance to become a supervisor or a manager, a position in which they have more responsibilities and are tasked with directing other ironworkers.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of ironworkers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 8,100 openings for ironworkers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Steel and reinforced concrete are important parts of commercial and industrial buildings. Future construction of these structures is expected to require ironworkers. The need to fix, maintain, or replace an increasing number of older highways and bridges also is expected to lead to some employment growth.

Contacts for More Information

For information about apprenticeships or job opportunities as an ironworker, contact local structural and reinforcing iron and steel construction contractors, a local joint union–management apprenticeship committee, or the nearest office of your state employment service or apprenticeship agency. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.

For ironworker and apprenticeship information, visit

International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers

For more information about ironworkers, visit

Associated Builders and Contractors

Associated General Contractors of America

National Center for Construction Education and Research

For more information about certification, visit

National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators

American Welding Society

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of ironworkers.

Occupation	Job Duties	Entry-Level Education	Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Assemblers and Fabricators	Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them.	High school diploma or equivalent	$37,930
Boilermakers	Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.	High school diploma or equivalent	$66,920
Carpenters	Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.	High school diploma or equivalent	$51,390
Construction Laborers and Helpers	Construction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.	See How to Become One	$39,520
Masonry Workers	Masonry workers use bricks, concrete and concrete blocks, and natural and manmade stones to build structures.	See How to Become One	$49,490
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, repair, or cut metal parts and products.	High school diploma or equivalent	$47,540

Structural Iron and Steel Workers

Ironworker

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Important Qualities

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

What Ironworkers Do

Duties

Work Environment

Injuries and Illnesses

Work Schedules

Getting Started

How to Become an Ironworker

Education

Training

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Advancement

Job Outlook

Employment

Contacts for More Information

Similar Occupations