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.
Also called: Billboard Erector, Billboard Mechanic, Bridge Ironworker, Bridge Maintainer, Bridgeman, Building Construction Ironworker
Median pay
$62,780
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$44,580 – $108,260
People employed
68,380
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Structural Iron and Steel Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What structural iron and steel workers do
- 01Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
- 02Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
- 03Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails.
- 04Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
- 05Assemble or inspect hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.
- 06Lift steel beams, girders, or columns using cranes or forklifts, or by signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift or position structural steel members.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from structural iron and steel workers
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic85% · +2%
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters83% · −18%
- Riggers81% · 0%
- Tire Builders78% · −9%
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining77% · −9%
Change into structural iron and steel workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Fence Erectors88% · $47,980
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters88% · $51,330
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic85% · $63,870
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers85% · $45,990
- Riggers84% · $62,640
Majors that lead here
- Metal Building Assembly/Assembler
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.