Construction Trades Workers

How to become a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker

Official title: Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

Also called: Field Ironworker, Iron Installer, Iron Worker, Ironworker, Ironworker Journeyman, Ironworker Laborer, Reinforced Ironworker, Rod Buster, Rodbuster, Steel Tier

Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. Use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.

Main tasks

Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools.
Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions.
Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers.
Use forklifts or cranes to move construction material, such as rebar.
Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches.
Unload rebar from trucks.
Place blocks under rebar to hold the bars off the deck when reinforcing floors.
Cut and fit wire mesh or fabric, using hooked rods, and position fabric or mesh in concrete to reinforce concrete.

How to become one

Most ironworkers learn through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Reinforcing Ironworker Concrete (Existing Title: Reinforcing Metal Worker). BLS lists an apprenticeship as the typical training for this occupation.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $58,970 a year The middle half earn $47,990 to $77,320.
About 16,600 people work in this job now, and about 15,700 are projected by 2035. (-5.3%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker?

Most ironworkers learn through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

How much does a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $58,970 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $47,990 to $77,320.

Is a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 5% by 2035, from about 16,600 to about 15,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker?

Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Reinforcing Ironworker Concrete (Existing Title: Reinforcing Metal Worker).

Will AI change the work of a Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.