Iron / Steel Worker
Quick Facts
Median Salary$62,707
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+29.11%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
An Iron or Steel Worker installs iron or steel beams, girders or columns that create the structural frame for tall buildings, bridges or other large structures.
Core 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.
- Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
- Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
- 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.
What to expect as an Iron / Steel Worker
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
32% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Iron / Steel Worker related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
3197 openings for Iron / Steel Workers
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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