What they do
Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.
|
|
Also called: |
Fitter, Iron Worker, Ironworker, Steel Fabricator, Steel Worker, Structural Steel Erector, Tower Hand
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wages
|
Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 22.60 |
n/a |
25% |
$ 24.57 |
n/a |
Median |
$ 25.27 |
n/a |
75% |
$ 31.77 |
n/a |
90% |
$ 37.48 |
n/a |
|
Average |
$ 27.43 |
n/a |
|
More at CareerOneStop |
|
| |
Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Specialty trade contractors
| 56% |
- Construction of buildings
| 24% |
- Heavy and civil engineering construction
| 7% |
- Fabricated metal product manufacturing
| 4% |
- Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing
| 1% |
More at BLS |
|
|
|
Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
|
- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
|
- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
|
- Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
|
- Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
|
- Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
|
- Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
|
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
|
- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
|
- Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
|
- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
|
What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
|
|
|
Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
|
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
|
- Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
|
- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
|
- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
|
- Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
|
- Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
|
- Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
|
- Hoist steel beams, girders, or columns into place, using cranes or signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural steel members.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Related Occupations
|
|
|
|
Career Video
|
|
Projected Employment
|
Vermont |
2020 employment |
75 |
2030 employment |
82 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.9% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
9 |
More at Occupational Projections |
|
| |
Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
|
- Work experience in a related occupation
None
|
- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Apprenticeship
|
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
|
|
|
Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Very Important
|
- Level of activity is High
|
|
|
Low | | High |
|
|
|
Compare Occupations at O*NET |
|
|
|
Job Zone
Some Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(4.0 to < 6.0) - A typical worker will require
over 3 months up to and including 1 year
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
|
Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
|
|
|
Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 5% |
Bachelor's degree | | 0% |
Associate's degree | | 0% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 19% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 42% |
Less than high school diploma | | 34% |
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
|
- Static Strength
The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
|
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
|
- Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
|
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
|
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
|
- Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
|
- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
|
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
|
- Install metal structural components.
|
- Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
|
- Signal equipment operators to indicate proper equipment positioning.
|
- Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
|
More at O*NET |
|
|
|
Other Resources
|
- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
|
- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|