structural ironworker

What the work can involve

Structural ironworker work happens around steel frames, rebar cages, bridges and building sites. The role reads plans, positions metal elements, aligns components and works with lifting or fastening methods.

Skills and specializations

Core skills include interpreting 2D and 3D plans, arc welding, spot welding, riveting, checking construction supplies and following safety procedures at heights. Some jobs add crane guidance or rust proofing.

Salary context

Pay context is shaped by height work, welding scope, project scale, structural responsibility, travel between sites and whether the worker also guides heavy equipment or records progress.

Career paths

Experience can develop from rebar placement and steel erection into lead hand duties, welding specialization, bridge work, inspection support, crane signalling or coordination of metal crews on larger sites.

Good to know

Read vacancies for the structure type, drawings required, welding process, fastening equipment, height conditions and crane interface. These details separate structural work from general metal fabrication.

Editorial note

This guide is editorial career context, not official labour-market statistics or role-specific pay data.

Alternative labels

Occupation group

Structural-metal preparers and erectors (7214)

Source facts