Apprentice Iron Worker
Impact: Tangible
Apprentice Iron Workers learn to erect and dismantle structural steel frameworks, reinforce concrete with rebar, and install metal decking. They work on various construction projects, including buildings, bridges, and roads, under the supervision of experienced ironworkers. This role involves physical labor, working at heights, and adhering to strict safety protocols.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented
- Client facing
- Rarely
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Local travel to job sites
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $60,000
- Entry-level
- $40,000
- Senior
- $85,000
- Growth by 2033
- 5%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $0 - $5,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Welding
- Blueprint Reading
- Rigging
Soft skills
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Attention to Detail
Technical complexity: Moderate
How to get there
- Minimum education
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Apprentice Iron Worker
- Journeyman Iron Worker
- Foreman
- Superintendent
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Medium
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.5/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 5.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate