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Structural Iron or Steel Worker

What You Need to Know About Structural Iron or Steel Worker

Job Description & Duties Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.

List of Structural Iron or Steel Worker Job Duties

  • Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.
  • Dismantle structures or equipment.
  • Hold rivets while riveters use air hammers to form heads on rivets.
  • Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
  • Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting as needed.
  • Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Structural Iron or Steel Worker?

Structural Iron and Steel Workers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Ornamental Metal Erector
  • Structural Steel Erector
  • Building Construction Ironworker
  • Bridge Ironworker
  • Structural Rigger

Are There Job Opportunities for Structural Iron and Steel Workers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 70,200 jobs in the United States for Structural Iron or Steel Worker. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,000 new jobs for Structural Iron or Steel Worker by 2026. There will be an estimated 8,700 positions for Structural Iron or Steel Worker per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Structural Iron or Steel Worker are Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Louisiana. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Structural Iron and Steel Workers Make A Lot Of Money?

Structural Iron and Steel Workers make between $32,240 and $93,760 a year.

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Structural Iron and Steel Workers who work in New Jersey, New York, or Illinois, make the highest salaries.

How much do Structural Iron and Steel Workers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $48,590
Alaska $71,080
Arizona $47,930
Arkansas $40,760
California $67,130
Colorado $52,620
Connecticut $68,550
Delaware $50,450
District of Columbia $58,650
Florida $43,880
Georgia $41,760
Hawaii $74,110
Idaho $39,230
Illinois $83,580
Indiana $56,830
Iowa $54,850
Kansas $42,810
Kentucky $46,640
Louisiana $50,690
Maine $50,570
Maryland $53,200
Massachusetts $76,810
Michigan $55,200
Minnesota $65,800
Mississippi $41,860
Missouri $55,770
Montana $49,600
Nebraska $40,320
Nevada $39,840
New Hampshire $45,880
New Jersey $86,340
New Mexico $51,860
New York $85,410
North Carolina $41,040
North Dakota $50,500
Ohio $59,900
Oklahoma $42,760
Oregon $70,540
Pennsylvania $60,100
Rhode Island $74,540
South Carolina $43,640
South Dakota $42,070
Tennessee $47,860
Texas $44,370
Utah $47,430
Vermont $47,570
Virginia $51,220
Washington $75,020
West Virginia $54,830
Wisconsin $58,470
Wyoming $56,760

What Tools do Structural Iron and Steel Workers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Structural Iron and Steel Workers may use on a daily basis:

  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
  • Cost estimating software
  • Project scheduling software

How do I Become a Structural Iron or Steel Worker?

Education needed to be a Structural Iron or Steel Worker:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Structural Iron and Steel Workers Work

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Below are examples of industries where Structural Iron and Steel Workers work:

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Similar Careers

Those who work as a Structural Iron or Steel Worker sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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