How Do You Become an Ironworker?
- BLS says courses in math, blueprint reading and welding are useful before an apprenticeship.
- Median pay: $62,780 a year for structural iron and steel workers (BLS, May 2025); highest in Massachusetts at $120,840.
- Typical entry education, per BLS: high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
- Outlook: +3.1% projected employment change over 2025–35, with about 5,900 openings a year.
What Does a Ironworker Do?
Ironworkers raise and connect the structural and reinforcing steel in buildings, bridges and roads, aligning it and connecting it with bolts, wire or welds, and installing metal decking.
Ironworkers install the structural and reinforcing iron and steel that form and support buildings, bridges and roads. BLS lists these typical duties:
- Reading blueprints, sketches and instructions
- Unloading and stacking prefabricated steel so it can be lifted with slings
- Signaling crane operators who lift and position steel
- Cutting, bending and welding steel with shears, torches and welding equipment
- Aligning steel with tag lines, plumb bobs, lasers and levels
- Connecting steel with bolts, wire or welds
- Installing metal decking
Structural iron and steel workers erect and join girders and columns into frameworks, and may assemble precut metal buildings and the cranes that move material around a site. Reinforcing ironworkers, sometimes called rod busters, place and secure rebar or mesh in concrete forms.
Most work is new construction, but BLS notes some ironworkers help demolish, decommission and rehabilitate older buildings and bridges.
Where Ironworkers Work and What the Job Is Like
Ironworking is outdoor work in many kinds of weather, often at great heights. Common injuries include cuts, sprains, overexertion and falls, and from height, falls can be deadly, so harnesses, hard hats, boots, gloves and safety glasses are required.
Most ironworkers work full time and may travel to jobsites. Structural ironworkers at height stop work when it's wet, icy or very windy, and rebar work can be limited by precipitation. Structural iron and steel workers held about 68,300 jobs in 2025, and reinforcing iron and rebar workers about 16,600.
The two specialties work for different employers. For reinforcing iron and rebar workers, foundation, structure and building exterior contractors employed 55% in 2025 and 18% were self-employed. Structural iron and steel workers are more spread out, with 19% in nonresidential building construction and 10% in manufacturing, where structural metal fabricators and fitters build products in shops away from the jobsite.
| Largest employers (BLS OOH) | Share of jobs, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Foundation, structure and building exterior contractors | 47% |
| Nonresidential building construction | 19% |
| Manufacturing | 10% |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | 6% |
| Building equipment contractors | 5% |
How to Become an Ironworker: Step by Step
- 1Prepare with welding and math
BLS says courses in math, blueprint reading and welding are useful before an apprenticeship.
- 2Complete an apprenticeship
Programs usually teach both reinforcing and structural ironworking over three or four years.
- 3Add structural weld tests
Structural welding tests such as AWS Certified Welder structural procedures broaden the work you can do.
How to Become an Ironworker: Training and Education
BLS says many ironworkers learn through a 3- or 4-year ironworker apprenticeship, nearly always teaching both reinforcing and structural ironworking. Each year includes at least 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Unions and contractor associations sponsor most programs.
Apprentices learn to use the tools of the trade, handle and lay rebar, build metal frameworks, and study blueprint reading, construction techniques, safety and first aid. A high school diploma is generally required to enter an apprenticeship; workers trained by an employer on the job may not need one.
Math courses and vocational training in blueprint reading and welding are useful before you apply.
Welding school is widely available: 892 U.S. colleges and schools conferred 50,572 welding certificates and degrees in 2022–23 (IPEDS). Find welding schools by state and city or compare verified programs.
Licenses and Credentials
BLS notes certifications in welding, rigging and crane signaling may make ironworkers more attractive to employers.
Ironworker Certification
Ironworkers who weld structural connections can document the skill with the AWS Certified Welder program's structural steel procedures, tested at an AWS Accredited Test Facility and inspected by a CWI. There are no prerequisite courses, and you can retest at any time.
Skills That Matter in This Job
- Comfort at heights
- Connecting girders can mean walking narrow beams 50 stories up.
- Balance and depth perception
- Staying steady on beams and judging distances when signaling cranes.
- Critical thinking
- Assessing risks and choosing the safest way to do the job.
- Hand-eye coordination
- Tying rebar quickly and precisely.
- Strength and stamina
- Guiding heavy beams and moving rebar all day.
Where the Career Leads
After gaining experience, BLS says ironworkers may advance to supervisor or manager, directing other ironworkers.
Ironworker Salary and Job Outlook
Half of structural iron and steel workers earned more than $62,780 in May 2025, about $30.18 an hour. The middle half earned between $49,880 and $82,660, across 68,380 jobs in the wage survey. BLS projects employment to change +3.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% projected for all occupations, with about 5,900 openings a year as workers retire or change jobs.
| Employment, 2025 | 68,300 |
|---|---|
| Projected employment, 2035 | 70,400 |
| Projected change, 2025–35 | +3.1% (all occupations: +3.5%) |
| Openings per year | 5,900 |
National annual wages for structural iron and steel workers (SOC 47-2221). Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Ironworker Salary by State
Massachusetts pays structural iron and steel workers the most, a median of $120,840, and Puerto Rico the least, $29,620. The top 10% earn the most in New Jersey (more than $130,710).
| State | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,840 | $128,080 | 2,050 |
| New Jersey | $113,220 | $130,710 | 1,060 |
| Washington | $107,660 | $128,970 | 850 |
| Illinois | $101,850 | $124,450 | 2,740 |
| Hawaii | $99,860 | $121,680 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $98,320 | $98,330 | 360 |
| Oregon | $96,050 | $120,860 | 570 |
| Minnesota | $95,320 | $99,010 | 910 |
| Wisconsin | $92,820 | $100,160 | 710 |
| New York | $92,610 | $129,180 | 2,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,970 | $110,680 | 1,610 |
| North Dakota | $82,120 | $99,840 | 270 |
| Missouri | $77,410 | $89,350 | 1,320 |
| Iowa | $77,400 | $81,240 | |
| Alaska | $76,970 | $99,980 | 120 |
| California | $76,370 | $118,030 | 7,110 |
| Ohio | $74,710 | $88,860 | 2,290 |
| Idaho | $72,750 | $80,140 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $71,850 | $80,200 | 150 |
| Maryland | $71,730 | $82,160 | 710 |
| Indiana | $70,130 | $98,840 | 2,750 |
| Louisiana | $68,830 | $80,560 | 1,180 |
| Montana | $67,390 | $75,690 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | $79,040 | 610 |
| Kentucky | $64,060 | $98,360 | 990 |
| Michigan | $62,830 | $79,150 | 1,750 |
| Nevada | $62,510 | $103,770 | 1,400 |
| Connecticut | $62,400 | $97,760 | 330 |
| Maine | $61,750 | $86,840 | 200 |
| District of Columbia | $61,240 | $93,070 | 210 |
| Virginia | $60,260 | $73,890 | 2,300 |
| New Hampshire | $59,920 | $73,480 | 220 |
| Delaware | $59,820 | $72,370 | 90 |
| Arizona | $59,390 | $92,270 | 3,980 |
| Colorado | $58,830 | $83,150 | 860 |
| Kansas | $58,560 | $79,820 | 260 |
| Utah | $58,250 | $75,200 | 1,630 |
| South Dakota | $57,050 | $74,800 | 440 |
| Tennessee | $56,750 | $74,700 | 1,240 |
| Alabama | $56,640 | $67,700 | 1,740 |
| Florida | $55,700 | $73,280 | 2,730 |
| Vermont | $55,640 | $83,630 | 50 |
| Texas | $52,240 | $77,520 | 9,700 |
| South Carolina | $50,750 | $66,750 | 660 |
| Mississippi | $50,690 | $74,520 | 480 |
| North Carolina | $48,740 | $79,130 | 2,000 |
| Georgia | $48,090 | $70,680 | 980 |
| Oklahoma | $47,660 | $63,670 | 1,140 |
| Wyoming | $47,480 | $60,820 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $45,510 | $61,460 | 1,080 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,620 | $35,860 | 160 |
Structural Iron and Steel Workers, SOC 47-2221, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, state estimates. States where BLS suppressed the median are omitted; blank cells were suppressed.
Best-Paying Metro Areas: Boston–Cambridge–Newton Leads
Among metro areas with at least 100 structural iron and steel workers jobs, Boston–Cambridge–Newton (MA–NH) has the highest median pay, $120,840 a year.
| Metro area | Median pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Boston–Cambridge–Newton (MA–NH) | $120,840 | 1,310 |
| Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue (WA) | $111,440 | 450 |
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara (CA) | $109,440 | 330 |
| Vallejo (CA) | $106,900 | 150 |
| Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington (PA–NJ–DE–MD) | $103,330 | 800 |
| Chicago–Naperville–Elgin (IL–IN) | $102,350 | 2,120 |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City (NY–NJ) | $102,060 | 2,300 |
| Rockford (IL) | $100,290 | 190 |
| Providence–Warwick (RI–MA) | $98,320 | 640 |
| Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro (OR–WA) | $98,120 | 410 |
Structural Iron and Steel Workers, SOC 47-2221. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, metropolitan area estimates, May 2025.
Is Ironworker a Good Career?
What Works in Its Favor
- Median pay of $62,780 for structural iron and steel workers, above the welder median.
- Paid apprenticeships of three or four years, with 2,000 hours of paid training a year.
- Certifications in welding, rigging and crane signaling can make you more attractive to employers.
What to Weigh First
- Work at great heights with a real risk of serious falls.
- Outdoor work in many kinds of weather, stopped by wet, icy or windy conditions.
- Slower-than-average growth (+3.1% for structural iron and steel workers).
Ironworker vs. Related Welding Careers
| Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|
| IronworkerApprenticeship | $62,780 | +3.1% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Structural welderTrain directly | $53,750 | +2.4% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| MillwrightApprenticeship | $65,700 | +0.9% | High school diploma or equivalent |
| WelderTrain directly | $53,750 | +2.4% | High school diploma or equivalent |
For comparison, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median $53,750.
Ironworker FAQ
What Is the Average Ironworker Salary?
BLS estimates a median of $62,780 a year (about $30.18 an hour) for structural iron and steel workers (May 2025), with the lowest-paid 10% under $44,580 and the top 10% above $108,260.
Is Ironworker a Growing Career?
BLS projects employment of structural iron and steel workers to change +3.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 5,900 openings a year from growth and replacement.
Can a Ironworker Make $100,000 a Year?
Some do. In New Jersey, the top 10% of structural iron and steel workers earn more than $130,710 (BLS, May 2025); nationally the 90th percentile is $108,260.
Which State Pays Ironworkers the Most?
Massachusetts, where the median for structural iron and steel workers is $120,840 a year, against $29,620 in Puerto Rico (BLS, May 2025).
How Many Ironworkers Are There?
BLS counts about 68,300 jobs for structural iron and steel workers in 2025; the largest employer group is foundation, structure and building exterior contractors (47% of jobs, BLS OOH).
Do Ironworkers Need Welding Certification?
Not always, but ironworkers connect steel with welds as well as bolts, and weld tests widen the jobs they can take.
How Long Is an Ironworker Apprenticeship?
Three or four years, BLS reports, with at least 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training each year.
Do Ironworkers Work in Bad Weather?
Much of the work is outdoors in many kinds of weather, but BLS notes structural ironworkers at height don't work when it's wet, icy or extremely windy, and rebar work can be limited by precipitation.
Do You Need a High School Diploma to Be an Ironworker?
A diploma or equivalent is generally required to enter an apprenticeship, BLS says, though workers trained on the job by an employer may not need one.
What Is a Rod Buster?
A reinforcing ironworker who places and secures rebar (reinforcing bars) in concrete forms.
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national and state estimates, SOC 47-2221.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, structural iron and steel workers.
- American Welding Society, AWS Certified Welder (structural steel).
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions, 2022–23, CIP 48.0508.