Occupation · SOC 47-2221
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
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.
Median wage
$62,700
$42,000–$107,520
Projected growth
+4.4%
Average growth
Annual openings
290
per year
Employed (US)
64,720
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
32 mapped
Core skills
CoordinationOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive LearningSpeakingMonitoring
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareProject management softwareInventory management softwareElectronic mail softwareAccounting software
Representative tasks
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.Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.Force structural steel members into final positions, using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, or hand tools.Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.Unload and position prefabricated steel units for hoisting, as needed.Drive drift pins through rivet holes to align rivet holes in structural steel members with corresponding holes in previously placed members.Assemble hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.Dismantle structures or equipment.Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.Hold rivets while riveters use air hammers to form heads on rivets.Insert sealing strips, wiring, insulating material, ladders, flanges, gauges, or valves, depending on types of structures being assembled.Place blocks under reinforcing bars used to reinforce floors.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprints and work specifications — read and identify basic material locations, quantities, and sizes under direct supervisor guidance on a construction site.Structural steel components and hardware — recognize and sort bolts, columns, beams, and girders by type and size following supervisor instructions.Chains, cables, and rope — attach to structural steel members for hoisting under close supervision on a building or bridge project.Hand tools and basic wrenches — use to fasten bolts and connect structural members in pre-assigned positions as directed on a job site.Plumb bobs and levels — assist in checking vertical and horizontal alignment of steel members under the guidance of an experienced ironworker.Personal protective equipment and site safety protocols — apply consistently when working at height or around heavy lifting equipment on a construction site.Hoisting signals and crane communication basics — recognize and practice standard hand signals to assist equipment operators during steel placement activities.Metal shears and cutting torches — use under direct supervision to perform basic cuts on steel pieces at a fabrication or erection site.Site housekeeping and material staging — organize and position structural components in designated lay-down areas following foreman direction.Verbal instructions from supervisors and co-workers — listen actively and confirm understanding before performing assigned ironworking tasks on a live job site.
developing
Blueprints and structural drawings — interpret independently to determine correct member sizes, bolt patterns, and placement sequences on mid-scale commercial projects.Structural steel columns, beams, and girders — connect with bolts and follow sequencing plans with reduced oversight on building frames and bridge structures.Aligned steel members — bolt and position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding using prescribed torque specifications on a multi-story construction site.Hoist cables and rigging hardware — rig structural steel members safely and efficiently, selecting appropriate sling angles and load ratings for routine lifts.Cranes and hoisting equipment — direct operators using standard signals to lift and position steel members accurately during routine erection operations.Laser levels, transits, and plumb bobs — verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural members independently and make minor corrections on framing crews.Welding equipment and cutting torches — cut, bend, and perform basic welds on steel pieces in compliance with project specifications and safety standards.Precast concrete and metal components — erect for structures such as storage tanks, guard rails, and low-rise buildings following engineered erection sequences.Time and task management practices — organize personal daily workflow to meet production schedules and minimize downtime on active construction sites.Quality control checks and inspection records — complete and document basic alignment and bolt-up inspections to support site quality assurance requirements.
proficient
Complex structural blueprints and engineering drawings — read, interpret, and resolve field conflicts for large-scale bridges, towers, and high-rise building projects without supervisor assistance.Multi-member steel connections — bolt, align, and sequence columns, beams, and girders autonomously on complex structural frames under varying site conditions.Rigging plans and load calculations — develop and execute safe rigging configurations for non-routine and heavy lifts on industrial and infrastructure job sites.Crane and signal operations — coordinate multi-crane lifts and manage hoisting sequences for large structural steel placements on congested urban construction sites.Precision alignment instruments including laser equipment and transits — use to verify and certify plumb, level, and line tolerances across full structural bays.Welding, cutting, and bending equipment — apply proficiently to fabricate, modify, and repair structural steel members in the field to meet tight project tolerances.Precast concrete and specialty metal structures — erect dams, communication towers, and complex bridge sections by applying advanced erection and sequencing knowledge.Problem-solving and critical thinking skills — diagnose fit-up issues, structural misalignments, and material discrepancies and implement effective corrective actions on-site.Safety and public security standards — apply and enforce OSHA regulations, fall protection protocols, and hazard mitigation practices across all phases of steel erection.CAD and project management software — use to review shop drawings, track material inventories, and coordinate erection schedules with engineering and general contractor teams.
advanced
Crew erection plans and structural sequencing strategies — develop and direct for large-scale commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects involving multiple ironworking teams.Apprentices and journeymen ironworkers — mentor and train in blueprint reading, rigging techniques, alignment verification, and safe bolting procedures on active job sites.Project-wide quality control programs — establish, implement, and oversee to ensure all steel connections, alignments, and welds meet engineering and code specifications.Site safety culture and fall protection systems — lead the design and enforcement of comprehensive ironworking safety programs across multi-crew, high-rise erection projects.Complex lift plans and critical pick engineering — review, approve, and supervise for non-routine heavy lifts involving cranes, specialized rigging, and engineered load paths.General contractors, engineers, and owners — collaborate with at the organizational level to resolve design conflicts, manage change orders, and maintain project schedules.Material procurement and inventory management systems — oversee using digital tools to ensure timely delivery and accurate staging of structural steel for large erection contracts.Erection productivity and cost performance — analyze and optimize across multiple concurrent projects by applying time management and operations monitoring principles.Emerging ironworking technologies and methods — evaluate and introduce including advanced CAD tools, digital layout systems, and modular prefabrication techniques to improve field outcomes.Workforce planning and labor relations — manage crew assignments, subcontractor coordination, and union compliance to sustain productive ironworking operations at organizational scale.
Also known as
96 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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