72105 – Ironworkers

Lead statement

Ironworkers fabricate, erect, hoist, install, repair and service structural ironwork, precast concrete, concrete reinforcing materials, curtain walls, ornamental iron and other metals used in the construction of buildings, bridges, highways, dams and other structures and equipment. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

• Read blueprints and specifications to lay out work
• Unload and position steel units so each piece can be hoisted as needed
• Erect and install scaffolding, hoisting equipment and rigging
• Signal crane operator to position steel units according to blueprints
• Align and weld or bolt steel units in place
• Erect structural and architectural precast concrete components for buildings, bridges, towers and other structures
• Assemble and erect prefabricated metal structures
• Position and secure steel bars or metal mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete structures
• Install ornamental and other structural metalwork such as curtain walls, metal stairways, railings and power doors
• Examine structures and equipment for deterioration, defects or non-compliance with specifications
• May dismantle structures and equipment.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program orover three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in ironworking are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Trade certification for ironworker (generalist) is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
• Trade certification for ironworker (reinforcing) is compulsory in Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
• Trade certification for ironworker (structural/ornamental) is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
• Trade certification for ironworker (metal building systems erector) is compulsory in Alberta.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified ironworkers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Example job titles

apprentice ironworker · ironworker apprentice · journeyman/woman ironworker · reinforcing steel ironworker · reinforcing ironworker · precast concrete erector · structural iron erector · structural ironworker · tower crane erector · bridge construction ironworker · metal structure erector · curtain wall installation ironworker · ironworker - ornamental · ornamental ironworker · metal wall framing ironworker · metal wall installation ironworker · steel door setting ironworker · metal tank erecting ironworker · journeyman/woman reinforcing ironworker · structural steel erector · structural metal erector · iron structure erector · ornamental-metal worker · apprentice metal structure erector · ironworker · building systems erector · ironworker generalist · generalist steel structure erector · ironworker - metal building systems erector · ironworker - reinforcing rebar · metal wall framing installer · reinforcing rodworker · rodworker apprentice · metal scaffold erector

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.