What is an ironworker/welder and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an ironworker/welder. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.62 an hour? That's $51,215 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 3,600 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreIronworker/WelderUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,215

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.3

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.02%

Asian 1.62%

Black or African American 8.48%

Hispanic or Latino 16.23%

Unknown 4.92%

White 66.73%

Gender

female 3.58%

male 96.42%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
8.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
4.0

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Ironworker/Welder career paths

Key steps to become an ironworker/welder

  1. Explore ironworker/welder education requirements

    Most common ironworker/welder degrees

    High School Diploma

    47.0 %

    Associate

    20.6 %

    Diploma

    15.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific ironworker/welder skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Steel Beams14.85%
    Safety Equipment7.54%
    MIG6.71%
    SMAW6.59%
    Torches6.44%
  3. Complete relevant ironworker/welder training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New ironworker/welders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an ironworker/welder based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real ironworker/welder resumes.
  4. Gain additional ironworker/welder certifications

    Ironworker/welder certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific ironworker/welder certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for ironworker/welders include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Welder.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research ironworker/welder duties and responsibilities

    • Lead ironworkers and coordinate with project managers, superintendents, and other tradespeople to complete projects on-time and within budget.
    • Work with oxygen/acetylene torches for cutting steel and perform minor welding with MIG.
    • Perform welding tasks in all positions with SMAW and FCAW, often at elevate heights.
    • Cut, bend, and weld iron/steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, and welding equipment.
  6. Prepare your ironworker/welder resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your ironworker/welder resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an ironworker/welder resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Ironworker/Welder Resume templates

    Build a professional Ironworker/Welder resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Ironworker/Welder resume.
    Ironworker/Welder Resume
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    Ironworker/Welder Resume
  7. Apply for ironworker/welder jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an ironworker/welder job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Ironworker/Welder Job

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Average ironworker/welder salary

The average Ironworker/Welder salary in the United States is $51,215 per year or $25 per hour. Ironworker/welder salaries range between $39,000 and $67,000 per year.

Average Ironworker/Welder Salary
$51,215 Yearly
$24.62 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do ironworker/welders rate their job?

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Ironworker/Welder reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

Pay was awesome ,easy work, a lot to learn

Cons

Frequent layoffs, gotta jump through a lot of hoops to be hired


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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