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Construction47-2221.00Specialization

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.

$62,760
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
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Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 4/6: low AI task exposure means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟡AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

3% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+4% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 13/25

Total Score4/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

CAD softwareRigging calculatorsMicrosoft OfficeSafety documentationBlueprint reading tools

Key Abilities

Multilimb CoordinationStatic StrengthVisualizationArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityNear VisionControl PrecisionTrunk StrengthProblem SensitivitySelective Attention

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Compensation Details

$40,510
10th Percentile
$62,760
Median
$105,010
90th Percentile

Based on 63,780 employed workers

Also Known As

AssemblerAwnings MechanicBillboard ErectorBillboard InstallerBillboard MechanicBolterBridge IronworkerBridge MaintainerBridgemanBuilding Construction Ironworker

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 47-2221.00