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Iron worker vs structural rigger

The differences between iron workers and structural riggers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a structural rigger has an average salary of $46,703, which is higher than the $41,422 average annual salary of an iron worker.

Iron worker vs structural rigger overview

Iron WorkerStructural Rigger
Yearly salary$41,422$46,703
Hourly rate$19.91$22.45
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs28,2582,956
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 79%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

Iron worker vs structural rigger salary

Iron workers and structural riggers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Iron WorkerStructural Rigger
Average salary$41,422$46,703
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $53,000Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyEMCOR Group-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between iron worker and structural rigger education

There are a few differences between an iron worker and a structural rigger in terms of educational background:

Iron WorkerStructural Rigger
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 79%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingDrafting And Design
Most common college--

Iron worker vs structural rigger demographics

Here are the differences between iron workers' and structural riggers' demographics:

Iron WorkerStructural Rigger
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 1.6% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 1.3% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between iron worker and structural rigger duties and responsibilities

Iron worker example 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.
  • Show more

Structural rigger example responsibilities.

  • Operate fork lift, JLG, and pickers.
  • Perform basic aluminum welding on materials.
  • Aid in mobilization of crane counterweights and necessary equipment for specific jobs including securing of loads for truck transport

Iron worker vs structural rigger skills

Common iron worker skills
  • Hoisting, 10%
  • Torches, 8%
  • Ironworker, 7%
  • Bolt-Up, 6%
  • MIG, 4%
  • Steel Beams, 4%
Common structural rigger skills

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