How To Become A Steel Detailer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a steel detailer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Did you know that steel is the world's most important engineering and construction material? Steel is used in all aspects of our lives, and steel detailers specialize in developing and designing steel for various purposes. They prepare detailed drawings, plans, and other documents for the erection and manufacture of steel members. Basically, their responsibility entail tasks such as creating prototypes and drafts, using programs and software, monitoring procedures, ensuring that state and federal rules and regulations are followed, and meeting clients to know their preferences and needs.

On average, a steel detailer can earn an annual salary of $37,284. The position of a steel detailer requires individuals with physical stamina, in-depth mathematical knowledge, and significant experience in steelwork crafts. Employers screen for a diverse skill set in prospective steel detailers including for the ability to generate complete and timely construction and permit documents, the ability to establish written guidelines and procedures for structural steel detailing department, and the ability to prepare detailed drawings in AutoCAD.

ScoreSteel DetailerUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $47,435

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.0

Growth Rate -6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.11%

Asian 1.34%

Black or African American 9.95%

Hispanic or Latino 12.62%

Unknown 2.74%

White 72.24%

Gender

female 11.62%

male 88.38%

Age - 45

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 - 45

Stress Level

7.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.8

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

3.6

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

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Key steps to become a steel detailer

Explore steel detailer education requirements

Most common steel detailer degrees

Associate

46.4 %

Bachelor's

35.6 %

Diploma

7.4 %

Start to develop specific steel detailer skills

Skills	Percentages
Sketch	9.76%
Fabrication Drawings	8.76%
Shop Drawings	8.63%
Auto CAD	7.88%
Assembly Drawings	6.39%

Complete relevant steel detailer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New steel detailers 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 a steel detailer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real steel detailer resumes.

Research steel detailer duties and responsibilities

Run presses to fabricate aluminum, copper, and steel leads.
Follow blueprints and layout specifications, and used jigs, welding torches, and hand tools.
Used overhead cranes for installing beams and work in structural Fab shop fabricating and straiten beams fabricate from plate.
Check and ensure that all material sizes and details are extract from the latest contract drawings and latest RFI's correspondence.

Prepare your steel detailer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your steel detailer 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 a steel detailer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Steel Detailer Resume templates

Build a professional Steel Detailer 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 Steel Detailer resume.

Apply for steel detailer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a steel detailer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

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

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