Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Fitter
- Iron Worker
- Ironworker
- Steel Worker
Alternate Job Titles
- Assembler
- Awnings Mechanic
- Billboard Erector
- Billboard Installer
- Billboard Mechanic
- Bolter
- Bridge Ironworker
- Bridge Maintainer
- Bridgeman
- Building Construction Ironworker
- Combination Worker
- Construction Ironworker
- Erector
- Fitter
- Guard Rail Installer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
- Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
- Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
- Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
- Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
- Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
- Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Assemble or inspect hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.
- Lift steel beams, girders, or columns using cranes or forklifts, or by signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift or position structural steel members.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Coordination
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Static Strength
- Multilimb Coordination
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Visualization
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Trunk Strength
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Selective Attention
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Outlook
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Blow torches
- Bolt cutters
- Bull pins
- C clamps
- Center punches
- Chalk lines
- Cold chisels
- Combination squares
- Crowbars
- Cutoff saws
- Decoilers
- Drift pins
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Exposed to High Places
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $42,000 |
| Median | $62,700 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $107,520 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 64,720
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $59,280
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,900
Sheet Metal Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $60,850
Carpenters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,310
Millwrights
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $65,170
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.