To become an ironworker you usually join a 3 or 4 year apprenticeship run by a union or contractor association, which normally needs a high school diploma or equivalent. Each year includes at least 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Some ironworkers learn on the job instead.
Ironworkers put up the steel frames of buildings and bridges and lay the rebar that holds concrete together. It's physically hard work, often at great heights, and it pays well for a trade you can learn while you earn.
I've built this guide from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for ironworkers, read as of October 2026. BLS splits the trade into two jobs, so I'll cover both.
Ironworker jobs and pay at a glance
| Measure | Structural iron and steel workers | Reinforcing iron and rebar workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jobs in 2025 | 68,300 | 16,600 |
| Median annual wage (May 2025) | $62,780 | $58,970 |
| Largest employer | Foundation, structure and building exterior contractors, 47% | Foundation, structure and building exterior contractors, 55% |
Those figures are as of October 2026. Overall, BLS projects ironworker employment to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than average, but there are still about 6,800 openings a year because so many people retire or change trades.
Structural or rebar: which side of the trade?
Structural iron and steel workers raise and connect the steel beams, columns and girders that form a building's frame. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers place the steel bars and mesh that strengthen concrete. BLS says nearly all apprenticeship programs teach both, so you don't have to choose before you start.
Structural work is the bigger field. BLS projects structural jobs rising from 68,300 to 70,400 over the decade, while rebar jobs are expected to fall from 16,600 to 15,700. BLS also lists self-employed workers among the largest employers of rebar workers.
How to become an ironworker, step by step
- Finish high school or an equivalent. It's generally required for an apprenticeship. Maths, blueprint reading and welding courses are useful.
- Apply to an apprenticeship. Unions and contractor associations run most programs.
- Complete the training hours. For each year you'll need at least 144 hours of related technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training.
- Reach journey level. When you finish the apprenticeship you're a journey-level worker and can work without direct supervision.
- Add certifications. BLS says certifications in welding, rigging and crane signaling can make you more attractive to employers.
What you'll learn as an apprentice
On the job, apprentices learn to use the tools of the trade, to handle, measure, cut and lay rebar, and to build metal frameworks. The classroom side covers blueprint reading and sketching, general construction techniques, safety practices and first aid.
Apprentice pay starts at about 50% of what journey-level ironworkers make, according to BLS, and it rises as you learn to do more. That's the trade-off for getting paid while you train.
Where ironworkers earn most
These are BLS May 2025 medians for structural iron and steel workers, as of October 2026:
| Industry | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | $73,470 |
| Building equipment contractors | $68,330 |
| Foundation, structure and building exterior contractors | $63,340 |
| Nonresidential building construction | $61,930 |
| Manufacturing | $59,960 |
For rebar workers, nonresidential building construction pays a median of $64,010, ahead of heavy and civil engineering at $62,460. Heavy construction and nonresidential building work sit at or near the top of the pay table on both sides of the trade.
The safety side
BLS doesn't soften this: ironwork is dangerous. You'll work outside in most weather, sometimes at great heights, and you'll wear a safety harness when you do. Common injuries include cuts, sprains, overexertion and falls, and falls from height can be deadly. The work is also physically demanding, with constant carrying, bending and stooping to keep projects on schedule.
If heights are a problem for you, this isn't the trade to test it in. If they're not, the training programs put a lot of weight on safety from the first week.
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Is ironwork right for you?
It suits people who like physical work, don't mind heights and want to see what they've built. You'll finish most days tired, but you'll also be able to point at a building or bridge and say you helped put it up. The apprenticeship pays from day one, so there's no student debt.
It's a harder fit if you want steady indoor hours. Outdoor work in most weather is the norm, and construction schedules can be tight. BLS says the work is done at a steady pace so projects stay on schedule, so expect to keep moving. Before you apply, it's worth spending a day on a construction site or talking to a working ironworker, so you know what the height and the pace feel like in real life.
Related trades
Welding is the skill that crosses over most, and my guide on how to become a welder explains that route. If you'd rather be the one lifting the steel into place, read how to become a crane operator.
My verdict
Ironwork is a well-paid trade with a clear, paid route in. Get your high school diploma, apply to a union or contractor apprenticeship, and pick up welding and rigging certifications along the way. Growth is slow, but 6,800 openings a year means there's steady room for new apprentices.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become an ironworker?
Most ironworkers learn through a 3 or 4 year apprenticeship, according to BLS. Some learn through on-the-job training instead.
How much do ironworkers make?
BLS lists a median annual wage of $62,780 for structural iron and steel workers and $58,970 for reinforcing iron and rebar workers in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Do you need a high school diploma to be an ironworker?
It's generally required to enter an apprenticeship, but BLS says workers learning through on-the-job training may not need one.
How many training hours does an ironworker apprenticeship need?
BLS says apprentices need at least 144 hours of related technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training for each year of the program.
How much do apprentice ironworkers make?
BLS says starting pay for apprentices is usually about 50% of what journey-level ironworkers make, with raises as they learn.
Is ironworking dangerous?
It can be. BLS says common injuries include cuts, sprains, overexertion and falls, and ironworkers wear safety harnesses when they work at heights.
