Ironworkers install the structural steel and iron that form the skeleton of skyscrapers, bridges, and industrial plants. It’s a career for those who enjoy heights, teamwork, and building projects that define city skylines.
How to Get Trained:
Begin with high school math, welding, and CTE construction classes.
Join an apprenticeship through a union or contractor.
Earn NCCER or Ironworkers Union certifications.
Average Pay:
Ironworkers in West Virginia average about $54,000 a year, with higher wages on large-scale infrastructure projects.