Ironworkers


Architecture and Construction > Ironworkers > Employment & Outlook
110200
100461
Ironworkers

Ironworkers - Employment & Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Employment

Major employers:

  • Nonresidential building construction companies
  • Structural metals manufacturers
  • Agricultural, construction, and mining machine manufacturers

Outlook

Demand is expected to decline for this career. Some demand will be created by the construction of new industrial buildings and the need to repair and maintain older buildings. Additional demand will come from construction of bridges and other types of infrastructure. However, increased foreign competition for materials will limit growth.

Job prospects are best in large cities for those who have certifications in welding or rigging. Workers with former military training may have an advantage at the initial hiring.

Structural Metal Workers (CIS 100461)

Location Employment & Growth >>>> Annual openings



This occupation
All occupations


Illinois
7,290
Large
&
-0.6%
8.2%
>>>>
731
Moderate
  Champaign Area
133
Small
&
-3.8%
5.2%
>>>>
11
Very few
  Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area
153
Medium
&
-2.6%
2.9%
>>>>
14
Very few
  Cook County
2,451
Medium
&
0.2%
9.2%
>>>>
250
Moderate
  Decatur Area
89
Small
&
-2.2%
3.8%
>>>>
8
Very few
  DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area
476
Large
&
2.1%
10.3%
>>>>
49
Few
  Du Page County
955
Large
&
-8.5%
8.8%
>>>>
84
Few
  Edwardsville Area
178
Medium
&
-0.6%
12.4%
>>>>
18
Very few
  Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area
44
Small
&
-9.1%
-0.2%
>>>>
3
Very few
  Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area
96
Small
&
-7.3%
6.0%
>>>>
9
Very few
  Lake County
482
Large
&
15.4%
11.7%
>>>>
60
Few
  McHenry County
227
Medium
&
-0.4%
7.6%
>>>>
22
Few
  Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area
81
Small
&
2.5%
4.4%
>>>>
9
Very few
  Northwest Illinois Area
237
Medium
&
-0.4%
4.3%
>>>>
24
Few
  Peoria-Bloomington Area
350
Medium
&
-1.1%
4.5%
>>>>
35
Few
  Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area
123
Medium
&
-4.1%
3.5%
>>>>
12
Very few
  Rock Island-Moline Area
148
Medium
&
-3.4%
5.6%
>>>>
14
Very few
  Rockford Area
418
Large
&
-3.8%
6.6%
>>>>
39
Few
  Shawnee National Forest Area
20
Very small
&
0.0%
1.1%
>>>>
1
Very few
  Springfield Area
117
Small
&
-5.1%
4.6%
>>>>
10
Very few
  St Louis-Belleville Area
143
Small
&
-3.5%
0.9%
>>>>
14
Very few
  Vermilion County
19
Very small
&
-15.8%
-0.5%
>>>>
2
Very few
  Will County
332
Medium
&
2.7%
14.9%
>>>>
35
Few
United States
154,000
Medium
&
-5.3%
2.8%
>>>>
12,800
Few
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.