Ironworker: career path and pay in the US
Where a Ironworker goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Ironworker / Apprentice to Ironwork Contractor / Business Owner.
Also for the United Kingdom: Ironworker in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Ironworker / Apprentice
$45K to $70K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Apprenticeship Program (in progress) - US/UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global, Welding Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Ironworker / Journeyman
$65K to $100K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Ironworker Certification (optional) - Global, NVQ Level 3 Steel Erecting - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Welding Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Master Ironworker / Supervisor
$75K to $110K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Ironworker Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Steel Erecting - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Welding Certification - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Ironwork Contractor / Business Owner
$105K to $155K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Ironworker Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Steel Erecting - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Welding Certification - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$45K to $70K → $105K to $155K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Ironworker ($28.42); this band converts it at 40 hours a week. The published figure for Master Ironworker sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
Education people bring
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
- Welder
- General Contractor
- Construction Manager
- Steel Fabricator
More Skilled Trades paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers, Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters, Sheet Metal Workers, Carpenters, Millwrights.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.