Career comparison
Ironworker vs. Metal Fabricator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Ironworkers earn more at the median ($62,780 vs. $51,330), while metal fabricators usually get to work faster (Several months on the job of training). Ironworkers raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground. Metal fabricators cut, shape and fit steel parts into frames, structures and machinery.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Ironworker | Metal Fabricator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,780 ($30.18/hr) | $51,330 ($24.68/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,580 – $108,260 | $37,960 – $72,280 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.1% (about as fast as average) | -6.2% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 5,900 | 4,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | Several months on the job |
| Key credential | Apprenticeship completion | AWS welding certification |
| Work setting | Ironworkers work outdoors at great heights on buildings, bridges and towers, in heat, cold and wind. | Fabricators work in fab shops and plants.. |
What each job does
Ironworker
- Read blueprints and erection drawings
- Signal cranes and rig steel members for lifting
- Guide beams and columns into position
- Bolt and weld connections
- Plumb and align steel frames
Metal Fabricator
- Read blueprints
- Lay out parts
- Cut steel
- Bend and form metal
- Fit and align parts
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as comfort with heights and precision.
Which should you choose?
Choose ironworker if…
- I’m comfortable working at great heights
- I like physical, high-energy work
- I trust and depend on my crew
Choose metal fabricator if…
- I like building with metal
- I read drawings well
- I like precision
Still torn? Take the Ironworker fit quiz and the Metal Fabricator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, ironworker or metal fabricator?
Ironworkers earn more at the median: $62,780 versus $51,330 for metal fabricators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Metal Fabricators typically train faster (Several months on the job) than ironworkers (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects ironworkers to grow +3.1% from 2025–35, compared with -6.2% for metal fabricators.