Trades & Construction

How to become an Ironworker

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

3–4 years

Typical pay

$52k–$80k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   1–4 months

   Apply to an ironworkers apprenticeship

   Structural, rebar and ornamental are separate tracks in most locals.

2. 2

   1–2 weeks

   Get your safety tickets

   OSHA 10 or 30 plus fall protection before you set foot on steel.

   Course that covers thisOSHA 30-Hour Construction Practice Test 2026Udemy · around $19.99 →
3. 3

   3–4 years

   Work through the apprenticeship

   Paid from the first day, with classroom nights. Connecting is taught last for good reason.

4. 4

   Add welding and rigging certifications

   Certified welders and qualified riggers get called first when work is short.

   ◆ AWS welding certification

5. 5

   3–4 years

   Turn out

   Journeyman scale, and a body that needs looking after. Plan the second half of the career early.

6. ✓

   Destination

   Ironworker

   Browse jobs now →

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