Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Fitter · Iron Worker · Ironworker · Steel Fabricator · Steel Worker · Structural Steel Erector · Tower Hand · Bridge Ironworker
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Coordination
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Multilimb Coordination
- Static Strength
- Visualization
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.5 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.6 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.7 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 76%
- A certificate or some college 19%
- A master's degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Electronic mail software
- Project management software
- Inventory management software
- Accounting software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 9,500
- Job openings each year
- 870
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 13.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 9,500 | 870 | 13.1% |
| Texas | 7,390 | 660 | 9.3% |
| New York | 5,930 | 10 | 1.7% |
| Florida | 4,080 | 380 | 14.6% |
| Illinois | 3,470 | 300 | 3.0% |
| Ohio | 3,080 | 270 | 2.0% |
| Indiana | 2,460 | 210 | 3.4% |
| Michigan | 2,260 | 190 | — |
| Washington | 2,230 | 230 | 11.5% |
| Arizona | 2,050 | 190 | 13.3% |
| North Carolina | 1,900 | 170 | 8.6% |
| Tennessee | 1,840 | 170 | 10.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,730 | 150 | 3.0% |
| Virginia | 1,500 | 130 | 3.4% |
| Kentucky | 1,460 | 130 | 2.1% |
| Nebraska | 1,430 | 130 | 7.5% |
| Alabama | 1,420 | 130 | 7.6% |
| Georgia | 1,420 | 130 | 11.8% |
| New Jersey | 1,410 | 120 | 5.2% |
| Maryland | 1,370 | 120 | 5.4% |
| Louisiana | 1,350 | 120 | 12.5% |
| Oklahoma | 1,330 | 120 | 7.3% |
| Utah | 1,200 | 120 | 33.3% |
| Iowa | 1,160 | 110 | 10.5% |
| Missouri | 1,160 | 100 | 3.6% |
| Wisconsin | 1,150 | 100 | 11.7% |
| Colorado | 1,140 | 100 | 11.8% |
| Nevada | 1,010 | 90 | 11.0% |
| Massachusetts | 990 | 90 | 5.3% |
| South Dakota | 990 | 90 | 11.2% |
| Oregon | 740 | 70 | 13.8% |
| Minnesota | 580 | 50 | 5.5% |
| Idaho | 550 | 50 | 25.0% |
| South Carolina | 530 | 50 | 3.9% |
| Arkansas | 490 | 40 | 4.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 410 | 40 | 13.9% |
| Mississippi | 370 | 30 | 19.4% |
| Kansas | 360 | 30 | 5.9% |
| Rhode Island | 360 | 30 | 9.1% |
| District of Columbia | 330 | 30 | 3.1% |
| Montana | 250 | 20 | 25.0% |
| Connecticut | 210 | 20 | 10.5% |
| Delaware | 190 | 20 | 11.8% |
| New Hampshire | 190 | 20 | 11.8% |
| Maine | 180 | 20 | −5.3% |
| North Dakota | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Wyoming | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Vermont | 100 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 100 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| New Mexico | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Rowan University
- Degrees each year
- 56
- Admit rate
- 78%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Tuskegee University
- Degrees each year
- 12
- Admit rate
- 31%
- Annual cost after aid
- $35,000
Thomas Jefferson University
- Degrees each year
- 4
- Admit rate
- 86%
- Annual cost after aid
- $25,000
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
- Degrees each year
- 2
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Compare every college offering building/construction finishing, management, and inspection