Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Construction and Extraction
Reads blueprints to locate columns, beams, and girders, then fastens those members to hoist cables so a crane can lift them into place. Once aligned with levels, transits, or laser tools, the pieces are bolted, riveted, or welded together; cutting, bending, and welding are done with shears, torches, or welding equipment. The same methods are used on buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, and prefabricated metal structures. Crews work outdoors at height and rely on clear signals to the hoist operator. Suits people who like coordinating lifts with a crew and checking that each beam sits true before it is fastened.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$62'780
Median Wage Market Position
$62'780
What you might do
- Raise steel beams, girders, and columns into place
- Bolt columns, beams, and girders together
- Rig steel members to crane hoist cables
- Check that steel members sit level and plumb
- Read blueprints for sizes and placement
- Put up steel for bridges, tanks, or buildings
Skills that matter
- Reading blueprints for steel placement
- Bolting beams and columns into position
- Signaling crane operators during hoists
- Checking alignment with levels and transits
- Cutting or welding structural steel
- Crew communication during steel erection
AI & the future of this role
Raising steel frameworks requires working at height on changing sites with heavy loads and strict safety rules. Coordination, rigging judgment, and physical assembly are difficult to hand off, so roles like this may hold up well.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details