National
| Median wages (2008) |
$20.68 hourly, $43,010 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
72,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
28,000 additional employees |
47-2221.00 - Structural Iron and Steel Workers
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Ironworker, Iron Worker, Fitter / Welder, Steel Fabricator, Steel Worker, Structural Steel Erector, Tower Hand
Tasks
- Read specifications and blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, and sizes of materials required.
- Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural-steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, and/or levels.
- Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
- Hoist steel beams, girders, and columns into place, using cranes, or signal hoisting equipment operators to lift and position structural-steel members.
- Bolt aligned structural-steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
- Ride on girders or other structural-steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.
- Fabricate metal parts such as steel frames, columns, beams, and girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.
- Pull, push, or pry structural-steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.
- Cut, bend, and weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, and welding equipment.
- Fasten structural-steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Hammers — Sledgehammers |
| Jacks — Stressing jacks |
| Levels — Laser levels; Torpedo levels |
| Punches or nail sets or drifts — Center punches; Drift pins |
| Screwdrivers — Flat screwdrivers; Phillips head screwdrivers; Robertson screwdrivers |
| Squares — Combination squares |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal |
| Computer aided design CAD software |
| Inventory management software — Inventory tracking software |
| Project management software — Cost estimating software; Project scheduling software |
