Ironworker Apprenticeship in North Carolina

Wages, programs & career outlook

Ironworkers erect the structural steel, rebar, and precast concrete that form the skeletons of buildings, bridges, and stadiums. The work is high, physical, and schedule-driven — big crews setting thousands of tons of steel on a tight sequence.

NC Median Salary
$51,510/yr
-13% vs. national
National Median
$59,280/yr
NC Employment
200
Ironworkers employed
NC Sponsors
1
Registered programs
Training Term
3.0 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
4.6%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
1,500
Nationally, per yr

Ironworker Apprenticeship in North Carolina: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered ironworker apprenticeship in North Carolina combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 3.0 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

North Carolina pay vs. national

Median ironworker wages in North Carolina are $51,510/year, -13% below the national median of $59,280. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

North Carolina has 1 registered apprenticeship sponsor for ironworker listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.6% job growth for ironworkers nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 1,500 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — North Carolina-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

North Carolina Wage Spread

Annual wages for Ironworkers in North Carolina across all experience levels.

10th pct
$41,050
Median
$51,510
90th pct
$59,800
Middle 50% of workers earn $48,030$59,280

Current Ironworker Apprenticeship Openings in North Carolina

No ironworker apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for North Carolina. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Ironworker Apprenticeship Sponsors in North Carolina

1 ironworker-related registered sponsor identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for North Carolina. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current ironworker apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
Local Ironworkers 848 JATC Charlotte
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Ironworker openings

Filter by occupation code 47-2171 and state NC for the most relevant results.

Ironworker Apprenticeship in North Carolina

North Carolina has only 1 Ironworker-adjacent registered sponsors in our directory — program slots may be competitive and early applications give the best shot at placement. Direct outreach to union halls in the state's largest cities often matters more than formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Ironworkers make in North Carolina?
The BLS reports a median wage of $51,510/yr for Ironworkers in North Carolina (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
How long is an Ironworker apprenticeship?
Most Ironworker apprenticeships run 3 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Ironworkers?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Ironworkers combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
Where can I apply for an Ironworker apprenticeship in North Carolina?
Contact one of the 1 Ironworker-adjacent registered sponsor in North Carolina (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
Do Ironworker apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $25,755/yr in North Carolina). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Ironworker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in North Carolina

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.