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.
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
SOC: 47-2171 O*NET: 47-2171.00
Median Salary
$59,280
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.6%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,470
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,300
25th percentile
Median
$59,280
50th percentile
Experienced
$74,190
75th percentile
Top Earners
$95,530
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,470
25th
$47,300
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$59,280
Mean: $62,640
75th
$74,190
90th
$95,530
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $56,060 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,300 and $74,190
- •Salary spread is 45.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 14,140 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:19,400
Top Industries
Construction86%
Specialty Trade Contractors64.4%
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors58.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.6%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)19,400
Current
2034 (Projected)20,300
+4.6%
+900
Employment Change
+4.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 35 locations
Texas
3,530 jobs$49,1502.78x
California
1,660 jobs$61,4401.00x
New York
1,000 jobs$81,6301.14x
Florida
620 jobs$44,7800.69x
Nevada
470 jobs$100,1003.32x
Louisiana
470 jobs$68,2202.65x
Virginia
420 jobs$58,7501.13x
Colorado
400 jobs$61,2201.51x
Oregon
370 jobs$91,1502.08x
Ohio
330 jobs$73,5600.65x
Washington
320 jobs$106,3401.00x
Utah
280 jobs$49,9901.81x
Alabama
240 jobs$56,5401.26x
Pennsylvania
210 jobs$00.39x
North Carolina
200 jobs$51,5100.46x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Coordination
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Coordination
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Coordination
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Dancers67%
2 shared skills
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers50%
1 shared skills
Fishing and Hunting Workers50%
2 shared skills
Baggage Porters and Bellhops40%
2 shared skills
Dredge Operators40%
2 shared skills
Glaziers40%
2 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Coordination
Senior Level
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
7
Core Tasks
7
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (6)Training & Development (1)
1
Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Place blocks under rebar to hold the bars off the deck when reinforcing floors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Cut and fit wire mesh or fabric, using hooked rods, and position fabric or mesh in concrete to reinforce concrete.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Bend steel rods with hand tools or rod-bending machines and weld them with arc-welding equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •100% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.51
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.51
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.35
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.23
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.15
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.05
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Leadership
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Integrity
4.2
Independence
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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