🏢

Ironworker

You build what everyone else works inside.

Median Salary

$63,480

Apprenticeship

3–4 years

Union Presence

Strong

Physical Demand

High

Job Demand

Moderate

Ironworkers erect the structural steel frames of skyscrapers, bridges, stadiums, and industrial facilities. It's one of the most physically demanding and well-compensated trades, with strong union representation and significant overtime opportunities on large projects.

No License RequiredWorks at Extreme HeightsHighest Physical DemandBig-Project OT Pays Well

What Ironworkers Earn

National data — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS

25th Percentile

$43,890

Entry level

Median

$63,480

Mid-career

75th Percentile

$90,120

Experienced

90th Percentile

$107,400

Top earners

Salary by State

Teal bars = above national median · Blue bars = below national median · Source: BLS OEWS

Career Path

From day one to running your own operation

Apprentice Ironworker

$38,000–$55,000

Years 0–4

Complete a 3–4 year IUIW union apprenticeship. Learn to raise and connect structural steel, set rebar for concrete, and work safely at extreme heights with rigging and cranes.

Journeyperson Ironworker

$60,000–$100,000+

Years 4–10

Work on commercial high-rises, bridges, stadiums, and industrial structures. Union ironworkers on large projects often work significant overtime, pushing total annual earnings well above the base wage.

Foreman / General Foreman

$90,000–$120,000

Years 8–15

Supervise an ironworking crew on major steel erection projects. Requires strong rigging knowledge, crane coordination skills, and the ability to read structural drawings.

Superintendent / Steel Contractor

$100,000–$180,000+

Years 12+

Move into project management for a structural steel erection contractor, or start your own ironworking specialty firm serving as a sub to general contractors.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

✓Among the highest base wages in the construction trades
✓Major project overtime can push annual earnings to $100,000+ for journeypersons
✓Very strong IUIW union with excellent benefits and pension
✓Work is never boring — every structure and every city is different
✓Ironworkers are in demand wherever large-scale construction is happening

Challenges

✕Working at heights daily — not for those with any fear of heights
✕One of the most physically demanding trades in construction
✕Highly dependent on large commercial and infrastructure project pipelines
✕Injury rates are higher than most other trades

How to Get Started

Step-by-step path into the ironworker trade

1
Apply to your local IUIW union (ironworkers.org) — it's competitive, but the union offers the best wages and safety training for this work.
Browse ironworker apprenticeships →
2
Build your welding skills before applying — AWS D1.1 structural certification is a major advantage that most locals notice.
Find welding programs →
3
Competition is high in major markets. Apply early, follow up persistently — most people get in on their second or third attempt.
4
Once accepted, your apprenticeship starts immediately. You're earning from day one while building toward journeyperson wages.