IRONWORKER
Erects the skeleton of buildings, bridges, stadiums. Walks the iron. Highest-paid construction trade in many metros. Pennsylvania is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.
The License.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Pennsylvania: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with PA Attorney General. Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in Pennsylvania. BLS metro-level data was not available for this combination. National medians shown below.
| Stage | Hourly range | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $22–$32/hr | $44,000 – $64,000 |
| Journeyman scale | $42–$68/hr | $84,000 – $136,000 |
| BLS national median | — | $58,550 |
| BLS top 10% | — | $99,880 |
Pennsylvania is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in Pennsylvania's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.
The Path.
In Pennsylvania, apprenticeships are administered through the federal RAPIDS system via the U.S. Department of Labor. To find registered programs, go to apprenticeship.gov and filter by state. Most joint apprenticeship training committees (JATCs) also accept direct applications.
- · Iron Workers (IW)
The Exam.
Most construction trade licenses at the contractor level require a business and law exam in addition to the trade exam. Pennsylvania may have this structure. Pass rates are not published uniformly — ask the licensing board directly for current data. Prevailing wage requirements in Pennsylvania apply to most public-sector projects, which ties exam and licensure to wage scale compliance for contractors.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Fatality rate among the highest in construction. Heights aren't for everyone — be honest with yourself.
- 02Heavy travel for major projects. 'Boomer' work means weeks away from home.
- 03Layoffs between projects are normal. Plan finances for feast-or-famine cycles.
- 04Almost entirely union — non-union ironwork is rare and usually pays badly.