What Does a Rebar Worker Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a rebar worker do?

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete. The median pay is $58,970 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–4 year apprenticeship, and employment is projected to grow -5.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$58,970
$28.35/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-5.3%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
1,000
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
3–4 year apprenticeship
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
16,600
Employment, 2025

What rebar workers do

Rebar workers give concrete its strength. They read shop drawings, place and tie rebar in footings, walls, slabs, columns and bridge decks, set spacing and cover with chairs, and work alongside concrete crews.

A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical. BLS projects decline, but infrastructure work keeps demand steady.

Typical duties

Read rebar drawings
Place rebar
Tie bars
Set spacing
Install chairs
Cut and bend bar
Work with inspectors

Work environment and schedule

Rebar workers work outdoors on bridges, buildings and roads.

Schedule: Full time, early starts.

A day in the life

6:00 AMReview placing drawings.
6:30 AMUnload bundles.
7:00 AMPlace deck bars.
9:00 AMTie intersections.

See a full day in the life of a rebar worker →

Rebar Worker salary

Half of rebar workers earned more than $58,970 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $43,310 for the lowest 10% to $104,540 for the top 10%.

$43,31010th$58,970Median$104,54090th

Full rebar worker pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a rebar worker

Finish high school
Join an apprenticeship
Learn placement
Become a journeyman
Advance

A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a rebar worker →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Rebar placement
Tying
Reading placing drawings
Spacing and cover
Cutting and bending

People skills

Stamina
Teamwork
Precision
Safety focus

All rebar worker skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Union pay
Big projects
No degree needed
Teamwork

Cons

Bending and lifting
Weather
Heights
Declining employment

Certifications and licenses

Ironworkers apprenticeship: Union.
Rigging certification: Helpful.
OSHA 10: Safety.
Fall protection training: Required.

Career path

Apprentice: Entry.
Journeyman: Skilled.
Foreman: Lead.
General Foreman: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Rebar Worker training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as tie a rebar mat fast and check concrete cover, safety and how to land your first job.

View Rebar Worker training Is this career right for me?

Ironworker

Raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground.

$62,780
3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Concrete Finisher

Place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads.

$57,020
3–12 months on the job

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

$47,120
Days to weeks (on the job)

Pile Driver Operator

Drive steel, concrete and wood piles that hold up bridges and buildings.

$73,300
Months to years of training

Compare: Rebar Worker vs. Ironworker · Rebar Worker vs. Concrete Finisher · Rebar Worker vs. Construction Laborer · Rebar Worker vs. Pile Driver Operator

Rebar Worker FAQ

Is rebar work union?

Often, through the Ironworkers.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects decline, though infrastructure work continues.

Is it physical?

Very.

How much does a rebar worker make?

The median annual wage for rebar workers was $58,970 ($28.35 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $43,310 and the highest 10% earned more than $104,540.

How long does it take to become a rebar worker?

Most people need about 3–4 year apprenticeship of training. A high school diploma and an apprenticeship are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a rebar worker?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2171 (Reinforcing iron and rebar workers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Reinforcing iron and rebar workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Rebar Worker