National Occupation Code (NOC): 7236

Ironworkers fabricate, erect, hoist, install, repair and service structural ironwork, precast concrete, concrete reinforcing materials, curtain walls, ornamental iron and other metals used in the construction of buildings, bridges, highways, dams and other structures and equipment. They are employed by construction ironwork contractors.

Follow This Occupation Share

Job Duties for Ironworkers

• Read blueprints and specifications to lay out work
• Unload and position steel units so each piece can be hoisted as needed
• Erect and install scaffolding, hoisting equipment and rigging
• Signal crane operator to position steel units according to blueprints
• Align and weld or bolt steel units in place
• Erect structural and architectural precast concrete components for buildings, bridges, towers and other structures
• Assemble and erect prefabricated metal structures
• Position and secure steel bars or metal mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete structures
• Install ornamental and other structural metalwork such as curtain walls, metal stairways, railings and power doors
• Examine structures and equipment for deterioration, defects or non-compliance with specifications
• May dismantle structures and equipment.

Working Conditions for Ironworkers

Work is performed indoors and outdoors, depending on the project. In either case, safety measures must be carefully followed to prevent injury from welding equipment, fumes, and noise.

Alternate Job Titles

• Apprentice Ironworker
• Apprentice Metal Structure Erector
• Bridge Construction Ironworker
• Building Systems Erector
• Curtain Wall Installation Ironworker
• Generalist Steel Structure Erector
• Iron Structure Erector
• Ironworker
• Ironworker - Metal Building Systems Erector
• Ironworker - Ornamental
• Ironworker - Reinforcing Rebar
• Ironworker Apprentice
• Ironworker Generalist
• Journeyman/woman Ironworker
• Journeyman/woman Reinforcing Ironworker
• Metal Scaffold Erector
• Metal Structure Erector
• Metal Tank Erecting Ironworker
• Metal Wall Framing Installer
• Metal Wall Framing Ironworker
• Metal Wall Installation Ironworker
• Ornamental Ironworker
• Ornamental-metal Worker
• Precast Concrete Erector
• Reinforcing Ironworker
• Reinforcing Rodworker
• Reinforcing Steel Ironworker
• Rodworker Apprentice
• Steel Door Setting Ironworker
• Structural Iron Erector
• Structural Ironworker
• Structural Metal Erector
• Structural Steel Erector
• Tower Crane Erector
• Apprentice Ironworker
• Apprentice Metal Structure Erector
• Bridge Construction Ironworker
• Building Systems Erector
• Curtain Wall Installation Ironworker
• Generalist Steel Structure Erector
• Iron Structure Erector
• Ironworker
• Ironworker - Metal Building Systems Erector
• Ironworker - Ornamental
• Ironworker - Reinforcing Rebar
• Ironworker Apprentice
• Ironworker Generalist
• Journeyman/woman Ironworker
• Journeyman/woman Reinforcing Ironworker
• Metal Scaffold Erector
• Metal Structure Erector
• Metal Tank Erecting Ironworker
• Metal Wall Framing Installer
• Metal Wall Framing Ironworker
• Metal Wall Installation Ironworker
• Ornamental Ironworker
• Ornamental-metal Worker
• Precast Concrete Erector
• Reinforcing Ironworker
• Reinforcing Rodworker
• Reinforcing Steel Ironworker
• Rodworker Apprentice
• Steel Door Setting Ironworker
• Structural Iron Erector
• Structural Ironworker
• Structural Metal Erector
• Structural Steel Erector
• Tower Crane Erector