🔧 Skilled Trades ↑ 4% growth · Average

Ironworker

Ironworkers erect structural steel for skyscrapers, bridges, and stadiums — working at dizzying heights. They also place rebar reinforcement for concrete and rig heavy equipment. It's physically demanding, extremely well-paid, and comes with strong union benefits.

$63,060 Median Salary
89K US Jobs
4 years Training
Paid apprenticeship Typical Cost
Get Free Program Info → Find Schools

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$44,000
Median
$63,060
Experienced
$91,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

4%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
89K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
IRONWORKERS Local Union Apprenticeship
Required Credential
IRONWORKERS Local Union Apprenticeship

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
Ironworker Apprenticeship (4 years)
Program Length
4 years
Typical Tuition
Paid apprenticeship
Work Setting
Commercial/high-rise construction, bridge building, industrial
🏆 Credential Required: IRONWORKERS Local Union Apprenticeship

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Ironworker involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Commercial/high-rise construction environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ Ironworker by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC