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.
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
SOC: 47-2221 O*NET: 47-2221.00
Median Salary
$62,700
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Structural Iron and Steel Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,000
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,090
25th percentile
Median
$62,700
50th percentile
Experienced
$82,780
75th percentile
Top Earners
$107,520
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,000
25th
$49,090
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$62,700
Mean: $69,270
75th
$82,780
90th
$107,520
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $65,520 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,090 and $82,780
- •Salary spread is 53.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 64,720 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:65,700
Top Industries
Construction84.7%
Specialty Trade Contractors60.6%
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors51.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.4%
Annual Openings:5,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)65,700
Current
2034 (Projected)68,600
+4.4%
+2,900
Employment Change
+4.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Structural Iron and Steel Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
10,090 jobs$49,4101.74x
California
6,970 jobs$72,0500.92x
Illinois
3,250 jobs$101,0301.28x
New York
3,190 jobs$95,3700.80x
Arizona
3,110 jobs$60,0302.31x
Indiana
2,530 jobs$74,2101.89x
Massachusetts
2,160 jobs$116,6301.41x
Florida
2,040 jobs$53,7800.49x
Michigan
2,010 jobs$63,9101.09x
Ohio
1,920 jobs$71,8200.83x
Louisiana
1,560 jobs$67,0101.95x
North Carolina
1,540 jobs$50,0400.75x
Tennessee
1,320 jobs$55,7500.96x
Pennsylvania
1,290 jobs$81,4200.51x
New Jersey
1,250 jobs$111,8000.70x
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
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Operations Monitoring
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Speaking
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Quality Control Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Coordination
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.7
54%
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
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers82%
5 shared skills
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Pipelayers70%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Inspectors67%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators67%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
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 Structural Iron and Steel 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
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
📚 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
MOSTLY 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 mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Training & Development (2)
1
Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Assemble hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% 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 Structural Iron and Steel 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?
Structural Iron and Steel 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 Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.37
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.34
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.32
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.23
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.08
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.96
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Concern for Others
4.0
Leadership
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Social Orientation
3.6
💡 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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