What You'll Do

  • Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required.
  • Verify vertical and horizontal alignment of structural steel members, using plumb bobs, laser equipment, transits, or levels.
  • Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors.
  • Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place.
  • Ride on girders or other structural steel members to position them, or use rope to guide them into position.
  • Fabricate metal parts, such as steel frames, columns, beams, or girders, according to blueprints or instructions from supervisors.
  • Pull, push, or pry structural steel members into approximate positions for bolting into place.
  • Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment.
  • Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope.
  • Assemble hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials.

Essential Skills

Coordination 3.62/5
Operations Monitoring 3.62/5
Operation and Control 3.62/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.12/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Cautiousness, Attention to Detail, Stress Tolerance, Perseverance

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Multilimb Coordination 4.12/5
Static Strength 4.12/5
Visualization 4.0/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 4.0/5
Manual Dexterity 4.0/5
Near Vision 4.0/5
Control Precision 3.88/5
Trunk Strength 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Computer aided design CAD software Cost estimating software Inventory tracking software Microsoft Outlook Project scheduling software Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.61/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.47/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.41/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.24/5)
  • Perseverance (High importance: 4.18/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Assembler Awnings Mechanic Billboard Erector Billboard Installer Billboard Mechanic Bolter Bridge Ironworker Bridge Maintainer Bridgeman Building Construction Ironworker Combination Worker Construction Ironworker Erector Fitter Guard Rail Installer Guzzler Builder Housesmith Iron Erector Iron Guardrail Installer Iron Setter Iron Worker Ironworker Joist Setter Journeyman Ironworker Layout Worker Metal Building Assembler Metal Building Erector Metal Buildings Assembler Metal Tank Builder Metal Tank Erector Metal Trim Erector Metalsmith Oil Field Rig Builder Ornamental Iron Erector Ornamental Ironworker Ornamental Metal Erector Ornamental Metal Worker Petroleum Production Tank Setter Playground Equipment Erector Pre-Engineered Metal Building Ironworker Precast Concrete Ironworker Rebar Fabricator Scaffold Erector Sheet Ironworker Sign Board Erector Sign Builder Sign Erector Sign Hanger Sign Installer Steel Construction Worker Steel Erector Steel Fabricator Steel Fitter Steel Hanger Steel Layout Worker Steel Rigger Steel Worker Structural Fitter Structural Iron Erector Structural Ironworker Structural Layout Worker Structural Mechanic Structural Metal Worker Structural Rigger Structural Steel Erector Structural Steel Fitter Structural Steel Ironworker Structural Steel Worker Structural Worker Tank Setter Tower Hand Wind Turbine Erector

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.