Occupation · SOC 47-2171
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. Use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.
Median wage
$59,280
$39,470–$95,530
Projected growth
+4.6%
Average growth
Annual openings
90
per year
Employed (US)
14,140
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
3 mapped
Core skills
CoordinationCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementOperations MonitoringComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessMathematicsActive LearningLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesTroubleshootingService OrientationEquipment SelectionWritingSystems EvaluationPersuasionOperations AnalysisNegotiationTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceRepairingManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceInstallationProgramming
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMathematicsAdministration and ManagementDesignEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationPsychologyProduction and ProcessingChemistryPhysicsLaw and GovernmentSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingAdministrativeTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsGeographySociology and AnthropologyCommunications and MediaPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyBiologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Application Software SHEARApplied Systems Associates aSa RebarOTP ArmaCADRebarWinSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Handling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesThinking CreativelyJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationProcessing InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAnalyzing Data or InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsWorking with Computers
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprint symbols and basic rebar notation — recognize and interpret under direct supervision on a residential or small commercial job site.Hand tools including pliers, wire cutters, and hooked rods — identify and handle safely following foreman instructions during initial on-site orientation.Steel rebar and wire mesh materials — distinguish by size, grade, and shape when directed by a journeyman on a concrete forming crew.Concrete spacer blocks — place beneath rebar to achieve specified cover depth according to oral instructions on a floor slab pour.Wire ties and binding wire — fasten rebar intersections using basic hand techniques under close supervision in a concrete form.Metal shears and hacksaws — cut rods to marked lengths following step-by-step guidance from a lead ironworker on a job site.Personal protective equipment including gloves, hard hat, and steel-toed boots — don and inspect before entering a reinforced concrete work zone.Basic measurements and rod counts — record from sketches or oral instructions while assisting an experienced crew on a small foundation pour.Rod-bending machines — operate at preset settings to produce simple bends under direct supervision during introductory hands-on training.Site safety protocols and fall-prevention procedures — follow consistently when working around open concrete forms and elevated deck areas.
developing
Blueprints and placement sketches — read and interpret independently to determine rod quantities, sizes, and spacing on routine residential and light commercial projects.Steel bars, cables, and wire mesh — position and secure within concrete forms using fasteners and hand tools with minimal oversight on standard pours.Bar cutters and acetylene torches — cut rebar to required lengths safely and accurately, selecting the appropriate tool based on rod diameter and site conditions.Rod-bending machines and hand bending tools — produce hooks, stirrups, and standard bends to plan dimensions on a mid-size construction job site.Wire-tying patterns — apply correct spacing and fastening sequences when assembling rebar cages for columns, beams, and slabs on routine assignments.Wire mesh and fabric reinforcement — cut, fit, and position sections in floor and wall forms to match design coverage requirements without direct supervision.Arc-welding equipment — perform basic tack welds on rebar assemblies in accordance with project specifications under periodic quality checks.Material quantity calculations — use mathematics and project documents to estimate rod counts and cut lists for assigned sections of a concrete structure.Coordination with concrete placement crews — communicate rebar readiness and adjust bar positions in response to pour schedules on active job sites.Spreadsheet and word processing software — enter daily production data and material logs accurately when required by site administration procedures.
proficient
Complex structural blueprints and engineering sketches — interpret autonomously to determine rod sizes, shapes, spacing, and placement for multi-story or heavily reinforced structures.Full rebar cage assemblies for foundations, columns, and elevated decks — build, position, and secure independently, managing quality and code compliance throughout.Acetylene torches, arc-welding equipment, and bar cutters — select and operate proficiently for non-routine cuts and welds across varied steel grades and diameters on large commercial sites.Non-standard bends and custom fabrications — produce using rod-bending machines and hand tools when engineer-specified shapes fall outside standard library bends.Post-tensioning cables and specialty reinforcement systems — handle and set according to engineered drawings on prestressed concrete projects with limited technical guidance.Rebar coverage and tie spacing — inspect completed work against structural drawings and applicable building codes, identifying and correcting non-conformances before concrete placement.Material quantity takeoffs — calculate precise rod lengths, mesh areas, and tie wire requirements from full project drawing sets, minimizing waste and controlling costs.Critical thinking in field conflicts — resolve discrepancies between drawings and field conditions by consulting supervisors and engineers and implementing approved solutions.CAD software and project management platforms — review digital models and schedules to coordinate rebar placement sequences with formwork and concrete crews on complex jobs.Mentorship of newer workers — demonstrate correct techniques for bending, tying, and positioning rebar safely while maintaining personal productivity on active construction sites.
advanced
Project-wide reinforcement strategies — develop and communicate placement sequences, crew assignments, and material schedules for large-scale infrastructure or high-rise concrete projects.Crew performance and workflow — direct multi-person rebar gangs across concurrent work zones, adjusting priorities to meet milestone deadlines and budget targets on major construction programs.Organizational safety standards — establish and enforce site-specific fall protection, tool handling, and hot-work protocols that exceed minimum OSHA requirements across all reinforcing operations.Blueprints, CAD models, and structural engineer specifications — review at the planning stage to identify design conflicts, propose field-constructible solutions, and reduce costly rework.Apprentice and journeyman development — design on-the-job training progressions, evaluate skill acquisition, and provide structured feedback to advance workforce capability within the trade.Material procurement and waste-reduction programs — implement cut-list optimization systems and supplier coordination processes that measurably lower material costs across a construction portfolio.Quality control programs — author and enforce inspection checklists and hold-point procedures that ensure rebar placement, coverage, and welding meet structural and contractual standards.Interdisciplinary coordination — lead pre-pour meetings with structural engineers, form setters, and concrete superintendents to align sequencing, resolve conflicts, and maintain schedule integrity.Project management and database software — configure and maintain production-tracking systems that provide leadership with real-time data on crew output, material usage, and schedule variance.Industry standards and code evolution — monitor updates to ACI, AWS, and OSHA reinforcing requirements and translate changes into revised field procedures, training materials, and company policy.
Also known as
28 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Concrete BusterConcrete Rod BusterConcrete WorkerField IronworkerIron InstallerIron WorkerIronworkerIronworker WelderJourneyman IronworkerLaborerPost Tensioning IronworkerRebar BenderRebar FabricatorRebar Production FabricatorRebar RodbusterRebar TierRebar WorkerReinforced IronworkerReinforcing Iron WorkerReinforcing Metal WorkerReinforcing Rod LayerReinforcing Steel WorkerRod BusterRodbusterRodmanSteel Rod BusterSteel TierStructural Ironworker