What jobs do ironworkers do
Andrew Vasquez
Published May 07, 2026
Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads. Ironworkers perform physically demanding and dangerous work, often at great heights.
What are the 4 different types iron workers?
- Reinforcing ironworker.
- Structural ironworker.
- Ornamental ironworker.
Do iron workers make good money?
Structural Iron and Steelworkers made a median salary of $55,040 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $75,520 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $40,660.
Is ironworker a good career?
Work Environment: Ironworkers perform physically demanding and dangerous work, often working at great heights. … Job Outlook: Overall employment of ironworkers is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.How much money does an ironworker make?
The average salary for an ironworker in the United States is around $55,040 per year.
How many hours do ironworkers work?
Ironworkers, when employed, may work a 40 hour work week working 8 hours per day with 1/2 hour for lunch.
Are ironworkers welders?
Welding and burning equipment are considered tools of the trade and performed by structural, reinforcing, ornamental and rigging ironworkers to secure their work to the structure. Ironworkers can be tested to be designated a certified welder.
Do you have to be smart to be an ironworker?
High school diploma, G.E.D., or equivalent as specified by the local training committee. Good physical condition – The materials used for ironworking are heavy and bulky so above average physical strength is necessary. Agility and a good sense of balance are also required.How do I become an ironworker?
- Education. A high school diploma or equivalent is generally required to enter an apprenticeship. …
- Training. Many ironworkers learn their trade through a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship. …
- Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. …
- Advancement. …
- Important Qualities.
A high school diploma or equivalent is generally required. Courses in math, as well as training in vocational subjects such as blueprint reading and welding, can be particularly useful. Most ironworkers learn their trade through a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship.
Article first time published onAre ironworkers happy?
Ironworkers are below average when it comes to happiness. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, ironworkers rate their career happiness 2.9 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 25% of careers.
What are top paying jobs?
- Cardiologist. National average salary: $351,827 per year.
- Anesthesiologist. National average salary: $326,296 per year.
- Orthodontist. National average salary: $264,850 per year.
- Psychiatrist. National average salary: $224,577 per year.
- Surgeon. …
- Periodontist. …
- Physician. …
- Dentist.
What is the best paying trade job?
- Licensed practical nurse. National average salary: $25.18 per hour. …
- HVAC technician. National average salary: $23.25 per hour. …
- Home inspector. National average salary: $52,066 per year. …
- Plumber. …
- Electrician. …
- Landscape designer. …
- Boilermaker. …
- Respiratory therapist.
Do iron workers wear harnesses?
Since the late 1990s, the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration has required ironworkers to wear a full-body harness that wraps around their shoulders, waist and legs. They then take a half-inch nylon lanyard and clip it to a safety line that will catch them if they fall.
How much does a skyscraper ironworker make?
The bottom 10 percent of these workers averaged $26,330 per year and the bottom fourth of skyscraper workers made $33,040 per year. The upper fourth of skyscraper workers made an annual salary of $61,380 and the top 10 percent made $80,030.
How much do underwater welders make?
Salary Ranges for Underwater Welders The salaries of Underwater Welders in the US range from $10,237 to $203,999 , with a median salary of $37,028 . The middle 57% of Underwater Welders makes between $37,028 and $92,466, with the top 86% making $203,999.
What kind of boots do ironworkers wear?
Work BootsComfortProtection1) Wolverine Men’s Overpass 6″ Waterproof Ironworker Boots Review4.84.92) Timberland Pro Men’s Powertrain Sport Alloy-Toe Ironworker Boots Review553) Timberland Pro Men’s 6 Inch Boondock Comp Toe Ironworker Boots Review54.9
What type of welding do ironworkers use?
SMAW (shielded metal arc welding) is a metal fabrication technique. Here’s how smaw is used on ironworker/welder resumes: Used welding processes including: SMAW, GTAW, FCAW, Carbon-arc Cutting, Oxy-Fuel Cutting.
How do I become an ironworker welder?
Most ironworkers learn their trade through a three-or-four-year apprenticeship. A high school diploma is generally required to begin such an apprenticeship. High school courses in math, shop, blueprint reading, and welding are useful. Nearly all apprenticeship programs teach both reinforcing and structural ironworking.
Do iron workers work in the rain?
Because ironworkers are commonly on the job year round, surfaces can be slick due to rain or ice. One misstep and an ironworker can tumble, resulting in serious injury or death. Safety harnesses are utilized to minimize the risk of falls.
How long does it take to become a ironworker?
During an apprenticeship, you can learn about reinforcement and structural ironworking through a mix of classes and hands-on work. An ironworking apprenticeship can take about four years to complete.
What tools do ironworkers use?
Ironworkers use a variety of tools in their work. Small tools, such as wrenches, rachets, strikers, hammers, magnetic squares, pliers, wire pulling grips, levels, grease pencils, markers, and safety goggles are the most common.
What is the ironworkers union called?
The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union, AFL-CIO (IW), is a proud trade association whose beginnings go back to the 1890s. The IW represents 120,000 members in North America.
Do ironworkers get drug tested?
All Ironworker employees on that job are tested. Contractors on the job site must provide payroll records to the TPA at the time of the random request as verification of workers employed on the site. randomly tested.
How often do union ironworkers get drug tested?
All workers are tested a minimum of once a year, and usually more often. Tests are performed on samples of urine to detect evidence of use of any one of ten drugs including amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, cannibanoids (THC), opiates, phencyclidine, benzodiazepines, methadone, propoxyphene, oxycodon and alcohol.
Is it hard to become an iron worker?
The road to becoming a journeyman ironworker is through apprenticeship training. … Graduating apprentices attain journeyman status and receive full pay for the skills they have earned. Ironworking has many sectors. Each sector involves challenging and difficult work, often on tall structures at high elevations.
What skills do you need to be an ironworker?
Essential ironworker skills include proficiency with tools of the trade such as torches, shears and rebar bending equipment. The BLS indicates that courses in math and shop help. Any classes that provide training in reading blueprints or welding experience are especially beneficial.
How does an ironworker machine work?
Overview. Modern systems use hydraulic rams powered by a heavy alternating current electric motor. High strength carbon steel blades and dies of various shapes are used to work the metal. The machine itself is made of very heavy steel to handle the enormous force that can be generated during use.
How do I become a steel worker?
To be a steelworker, one typically takes an apprenticeship lasting three or four years, with each year requiring 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of experience doing the job. During the apprenticeship, steelworkers-in-training learn to construct metal frameworks and handle, measure, cut and lay rebar.
Are concrete workers happy?
Construction workers are one of the least happy careers in the United States. … As it turns out, construction workers rate their career happiness 2.7 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 9% of careers.
How much does a journeyman ironworker make in California?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $133,940 and as low as $33,103, the majority of Journeyman Ironworker salaries currently range between $44,307 (25th percentile) to $52,964 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $127,319 annually in Sacramento.