How to hire an iron worker

How to hire an iron worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step iron worker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an iron worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new iron worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an iron worker do?

Post an iron worker job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your iron worker job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an iron worker for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An iron worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, iron workers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of iron workers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Iron Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Iron Worker	Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads.	$15-25
   Steel Erector	A steel erector works mainly in warehouses and construction sites. They assemble the heavy metal framework of a building by fitting girders, pipework, and beams... Show more	$12-23
   Billboard Installer	A billboard installer is in charge of the installation and upkeep of billboards, ensuring it remains in good and presentable condition. It is their job to prepare materials upon learning the project requirements, adhere to guidelines and schedules, climb up high places to attach equipment, and assemble structures as necessary... Show more	$12-25

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hoisting
   • Torches
   • Ironworker
   • Bolt-Up
   • MIG
   • Steel Beams
   • Construction Sites
   • Metal Shears
   • Steel Components
   • Horizontal Alignment
   • Equipment Operators
   • PPE
   • Arc Welding
   • Pulleys

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Attain diverse professional experience from working in various craft disciplines in maintenance, turnaround and new construction projects.
   • Perform field welds on ferrous and non-ferrous metals using SMAW, GMAW, FCAW and GTAW.
   • Interpret blueprints and schematics, and MIG, FCAW, SMAW weld parts as defined in specification sheets.
   • Force structural- steel members in to final position using turnbuckles, crowbars, jacks, sleeve bars, and hand tools.
   • Cut coupon samples to be test on CNC end mill lathe.
   • Attach pulleys and blocks to fix overhead structures.

   More iron worker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the iron worker job description is a good way to get more applicants. An iron worker salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an iron worker in New Mexico may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level iron worker. Additionally, an iron worker with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average iron worker salary

   $41,422yearly

   $19.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level iron worker salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average iron worker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$48,571	$23
   2	New York	$46,306	$22
   3	Kansas	$45,054	$22
   4	South Dakota	$44,848	$22
   5	Indiana	$44,187	$21
   6	Nevada	$40,200	$19
   7	Michigan	$39,600	$19
   8	Oklahoma	$39,405	$19
   9	Arizona	$39,271	$19
   10	Ohio	$39,178	$19
   11	Connecticut	$38,312	$18
   12	Maryland	$38,166	$18
   13	Rhode Island	$38,152	$18
   14	Alabama	$37,593	$18
   15	Virginia	$37,525	$18
   16	New Hampshire	$37,153	$18
   17	Texas	$36,284	$17
   18	Tennessee	$36,031	$17
   19	Colorado	$32,826	$16
   20	Florida	$31,306	$15

   Average iron worker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	EMCOR Group	$45,444	$21.85	70
   2	MVP Group Int	$44,666	$21.47
   3	Middlesex School	$42,590	$20.48	2
   4	Structural Group	$42,239	$20.31
   5	MasTec	$41,989	$20.19	16
   6	Woods Services	$40,914	$19.67
   7	Koch Industries	$40,816	$19.62	1
   8	Harrison Steel	$40,602	$19.52	2
   9	Tradesmen International	$40,529	$19.49	230
   10	Baldwin & Sons	$40,297	$19.37
   11	CMI	$40,083	$19.27
   12	Grp Inc	$40,083	$19.27
   13	PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTORS INC.	$40,083	$19.27	1
   14	Amec Foster Wheeler	$40,083	$19.27
   15	Structural Preservation Systems LLC	$40,041	$19.25	4
   16	Skilled Trades	$39,976	$19.22	14
   17	Jans	$39,876	$19.17
   18	State Bar of Michigan	$39,860	$19.16	10
   19	Michigan Co	$39,162	$18.83
   20	Conservation Legacy	$39,086	$18.79

4. Writing an iron worker job description

   A job description for an iron worker role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an iron worker job description:

   Iron worker job description example

   Iron Worker
   Iron Workers must have knowledge of rigging, and flame cutting. Must possess the ability to use pneumatic tools, have knowledge of safe loads, be familiar with basic hand signals, and have experience with sizing of chokers. Will need to have knowledge of basic steel erection. Be aware of fall protection and prevention safety measures.
   Responsibilities may include:
   
   Erect and connect steel at and above grade elevations
   Practice proper rigging technique
   Use proper hand signals to flag cranes
   Assist other craft workers as needed
   
   REPCON Required Qualifications:
   
   Pass a REPCON Iron Worker Assessment
   Pass a REPCON Basic Rigging Assessment, or NCCER certified.
   Current Basic Orientation Plus (Safety Council card) or within 3 months expiration.
   Current TWIC Card
   Have three (3) or more years' experience in your craft.
   Demonstrated industrial construction/maintenance work history and experience.
   Fully comprehend and accurately interpret blueprints, construction drawings, technical manuals, and manufacturers' manuals and instructions.
   Good problem-solving abilities and reading comprehension.
   Ability to work with others and serve as a team player, while being able to work independently with minimal supervision.
   Good communication skills (speaking and actively listening) with co-workers and supervisors.
   Physical Requirements
   
   Significant and sustained periods of standing, walking, bending, squatting and lifting.
   Must have good manual dexterity to perform precision adjustments of machinery parts and controls.
   Will use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull: objects, materials, controls and tools.
   May be required to lift, carry and move up to 50lbs.
   Will work at heights, climb ladders and stairways and work off of platforms. Will work at heights up to 300' utilizing proper fall protection.
   Will use vision abilities to focus, see short and long distances, colors, depth perception and peripheral vision.
   Must be capable of working outside in the elements including but not limited to the heat, cold, rain, snow and wind; and must be able to work for long period of times up to 12 hours a day.
   Will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to: hard hat, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs/muffs, masks/respirators, safety vests, gloves and steel-toe boots.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right iron worker for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with iron workers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit iron workers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your iron worker job on Zippia to find and recruit iron worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit iron workers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new iron worker

   Once you've selected the best iron worker candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire an iron worker?