Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024
How to Become a Ironworker (2024)
Structural · 4-year apprenticeship · SOC 47-2171
Ironworkers earn a national median of $70,146 per 2024 BLS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $118,980 in Seattle. The standard path is a 4-year registered apprenticeship — paid from day one, no four-year degree required.
What Does a Ironworker Do?
Ironworkers fabricate, erect, and install structural and reinforcing steel for buildings, bridges, and other structures. They work at extreme heights assembling the skeletal framework of structures.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Read blueprints and structural drawings
- Rig and hoist steel beams and columns with cranes
- Bolt, weld, and rivet steel components together
- Install reinforcing bars (rebar) for concrete structures
- Cut and shape steel using torches and shears
The Path: How to Become a Ironworker
- 1
Finish high school or earn a GED
Most apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED. Strong math (especially algebra and geometry) and reading skills matter for trade exams and blueprint work. - 2
Find a registered apprenticeship
Search apprenticeship.gov for registered programs in your area. Programs are sponsored by unions, contractor associations, or individual employers. Application windows are usually annual. - 3
Complete the 4-year apprenticeship
Apprentices spend roughly 8000+ hours on the job paired with a journeyman, plus 144 classroom hours per year. Pay starts around $56,020 and steps up each year — see the timeline below. - 4
Pass the journeyman exam
Most states require a written + practical exam to earn the journeyman license. The exam covers code knowledge, safety, and practical work scenarios. Pass rates vary 50-80% on the first attempt. - 5
Earn certifications and (optionally) the master license
Layer on specialty certifications (OSHA 10/30-Hour Construction Safety) to access higher-paying work. Most states offer a master license after 2-4 additional years of journeyman experience — required for independent contracting in many states. - 6
Climb to the top decile
Top earners ($118,980 in Seattle) typically reach the 90th percentile through specialization, foreman/supervisor roles, union membership, or running a small contracting business.
Ironworker Apprentice Pay Timeline
Hourly wage progression based on industry-standard apprenticeship pay schedules. Actual rates vary by local union or contractor agreement.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual (2,080 hr) | % of Journeyman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Apprentice | $42/hr | $87,360 | 124% |
| Year 2 | Apprentice 2 | $55/hr | $114,400 | 162% |
| Year 3 | Apprentice 3 | $70/hr | $145,600 | 206% |
| Year 4 | Pre-journeyman | $87/hr | $180,960 | 256% |
| Journeyman | Licensed | $34/hr | $70,146 | 100% |
| Master / Top 10% | Specialist / Foreman | $57/hr | $118,980 | 170% |
Required Certifications & Licenses
- ✓OSHA 10/30-Hour Construction Safety
- ✓Ironworker Welding Certification (AWS D1.1)
- ✓Rigging and signaling certification
- ✓Fall protection certification
Skills You'll Need to Build
Work Environment
Ironworkers work outdoors at construction sites, often at extreme heights on steel beams and scaffolding. One of the most physically dangerous trades, high injury and fatality rates.
Job Outlook
Demand tied to commercial construction and infrastructure projects. Federal infrastructure spending has increased demand for bridge and highway ironwork.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Ironworker Pay by City
The highest-paying metros for ironworkers, with cost-of-living-adjusted pay so you can compare real take-home.
| City | Median | Top 10% | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $117,110 | $118,980 | C |
| Las Vegas, NV | $99,570 | $100,720 | C |
| Milwaukee, WI | $95,160 | $95,160 | C |
| Portland, OR | $93,280 | $106,340 | C |
| Chicago, IL | $93,190 | $141,200 | C |
| New York, NY | $92,980 | $98,800 | D |
| Nashville, TN | $85,340 | $85,370 | C |
| Phoenix, AZ | $67,010 | $72,560 | C |
| Los Angeles, CA | $64,480 | $109,770 | D |
| Philadelphia, PA | $63,630 | $72,580 | D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most ironworkers complete a 4-year registered apprenticeship — typically 8000+ hours of paid on-the-job training plus 144 classroom hours per year. After completing the apprenticeship and passing the journeyman exam, you can work independently. Master-level certification (where applicable) usually takes another 2-4 years of journeyman experience.
No. Ironworkers do not require a four-year college degree. The standard credential is a journeyman license earned through a paid apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Some workers complete a 1- or 2-year certificate at a community or trade college before applying — but the journeyman license is what employers actually require.
Ironworker apprentices typically start at $56,020 per year (10th percentile) and progress upward each year of the apprenticeship. By year 3, pay usually reaches the 50th percentile around $70,146. All training is paid — apprentices are W-2 employees of contractors or unions, not students paying tuition.
Common ironworker certifications include: OSHA 10/30-Hour Construction Safety; Ironworker Welding Certification (AWS D1.1); Rigging and signaling certification; Fall protection certification. Most states also require a journeyman license; some have a separate master license for independent work.
Ironworkers earn a national median of $70,146 (Trade Pay Score grade C), wages have grown 4% over the past 5 years, and the BLS counts roughly 5,830 ironworker jobs nationwide. The work is physically demanding and the apprenticeship is real, but the trade clears the bar for living-wage, debt-free career entry.
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a searchable database of registered apprenticeship programs at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Local building trades councils, IBEW/UA/IUPAT/IBB union halls, and trade school career offices also place candidates directly. Most apprenticeships have one open application window per year — check listings early.
Wage figures from BLS OEWS 2024. Apprentice pay schedules from industry-standard registered programs. Career outlook from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2032 projections.