What does an iron worker do?
An ironworker specializes in establishing and installing steel or iron frames meant for the construction of a building and other structures. Their tasks primarily revolve around understanding blueprints, cutting and welding metal to specific shapes or customization, assembling and stacking materials, operating various devices and machinery, coordinating with other members of the construction team, and attaching essential tools. There may also be instances where an ironworker must climb up high places and repair installed structures. Furthermore, it is crucial to adhere to all safety standards and regulations to maintain a productive and safe work environment.
Iron worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real iron worker resumes:
- 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.
- Weld frame together using MIG welding with mild steel wire.
- Build and dismantle forms, using spud wrenches, sockets.
- assemble rigging (cables, pulleys, hooks) to move heavy
- Throw deck puddle weld and weld on clips for i-beams to be connect.
- Used many different types of materials such as iron, steel, ect.
- Complete all certify welds that require a AWS A5.1, A5.5 in all positions
- Hang iron and bolt-up, fit pipes/valves, and prepare them for the welders.
- Job require the use of PPE such as protective pants and steel toe leather boots.
- Observe and comply with all safety and project rules, which include wearing proper PPE.
Iron worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Iron Workers are proficient in Hoisting, Torches, and Ironworker. They’re also known for soft skills such as Balance, Hand-eye coordination, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Iron Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hoisting, 10%
Assemble hoisting equipment or rigging, such as chokers, shackles, chains cables, or ropes.
- Torches, 8%
Operated various hand tools including cut off saws, torches, welders, grinders, lasers and transits.
- Ironworker, 7%
Even though the primary metal involved in this work is steel, these workers often are known as ironworkers or erectors.
- Bolt-Up, 6%
Connected structural members using bolt-up methods.
- MIG, 4%
Steel Workers Certification Knowledge sets include: brazing, fabrication, MIG, steel, TIG, welding.
- Steel Beams, 4%
Put steel beams in place to construct buildings, pipe racks, and other structures or units in plant.
Most iron workers use their skills in "hoisting," "torches," and "ironworker" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential iron worker responsibilities here:
Balance. The most essential soft skill for an iron worker to carry out their responsibilities is balance. This skill is important for the role because "ironworkers often walk on narrow beams, so a good sense of balance is important to keep them from falling." Additionally, an iron worker resume shows how their duties depend on balance: "climbed and maintained balance on steel framework, stairs and ladders. "
Hand-eye coordination. Another essential skill to perform iron worker duties is hand-eye coordination. Iron workers responsibilities require that "ironworkers must be able to tie rebar together quickly and precisely." Iron workers also use hand-eye coordination in their role according to a real resume snippet: "learned leadership coordination, various safety procedures, and multi-tasking requiring a heavy amount of eye-hand coordination. "
Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of iron workers is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday iron worker duties, as "ironworkers must be strong enough to guide heavy beams into place and tighten bolts." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "worked in a team environment to accomplish physical task such as assembling drill shafts and installing grating for concrete pads. "
The three companies that hire the most iron workers are:
- Tradesmen International5 iron workers jobs
- Middlesex School5 iron workers jobs
- Matrix Service Company2 iron workers jobs
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Compare different iron workers
Iron worker vs. Metal tank 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. A steel erector is responsible for molding steel into different shapes and sizes. Cutting and shaping the steel for construction is the main duty of a steel erector. They use tower cranes to lift steel and fix safety netting and edge rails.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, iron worker responsibilities require skills like "torches," "ironworker," "mig," and "steel beams." Meanwhile a typical metal tank erector has skills in areas such as "hand tools," "roofing," "cranes," and "safety standards." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Metal tank erectors tend to reach similar levels of education than iron workers. In fact, metal tank erectors are 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Iron worker vs. Structural steel erector
Each career also uses different skills, according to real iron worker resumes. While iron worker responsibilities can utilize skills like "ironworker," "bolt-up," "mig," and "steel beams," structural steel erectors use skills like "cranes," "contract administration," "aisc," and "asses."
In general, structural steel erectors achieve similar levels of education than iron workers. They're 1.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Iron worker vs. Steel erector
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from iron worker resumes include skills like "steel components," "ppe," "plumb bobs," and "construction materials," whereas a steel erector is more likely to list skills in "blueprint specifications," "safety guidelines," "hand tools," and "steel erection. "
Steel erectors typically earn similar educational levels compared to iron workers. Specifically, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Iron worker vs. Guard rail installer
Types of iron worker
Updated January 8, 2025
