Ironworker Apprenticeship in New Jersey

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.

NJ Median Salary
$77,770/yr
+31% vs. national
National Median
$59,280/yr
NJ Employment
140
Ironworkers employed
NJ Sponsors
5
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 New Jersey: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered ironworker apprenticeship in New Jersey 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.

New Jersey pay vs. national

Median ironworker wages in New Jersey are $77,770/year, +31% above the national median of $59,280. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

New Jersey has 5 registered apprenticeship sponsors 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 — New Jersey-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

New Jersey Wage Spread

Annual wages for Ironworkers in New Jersey across all experience levels.

10th pct
$41,140
Median
$77,770
90th pct
$127,840
Middle 50% of workers earn $47,480$113,140

Current Ironworker Apprenticeship Openings in New Jersey

No ironworker apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for New Jersey. 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 New Jersey

5 ironworker-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for New Jersey. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current ironworker apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
UpRight Crane & Rigging / Glenn Kritch IV, LLC Farmingdale
McDonough Miscellaneous Metals Iselin
RMG Erectors & Constructors, LLC Sewell Gloucester County
Ironworkers, Local 11 Springfield Union County
Iron Workers Local 399 JAC Westville Camden County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Ironworker openings

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

Ironworker Apprenticeship in New Jersey

The 5 Ironworker-related registered sponsors in New Jersey mean apprenticeship programs exist but aren't abundant. Building relationships with local contractors and trade unions is often more effective than waiting for formal application windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Ironworkers earn in New Jersey?
The BLS reports a median wage of $77,770/yr for Ironworkers in New Jersey (May 2024 data). Experience, union membership, and specialization all affect where you fall in the range.
How many years does it take to become an Ironworker through 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?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Ironworkers, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
Where can I apply for an Ironworker apprenticeship in New Jersey?
Our directory surfaces 5 Ironworker-related registered sponsors in New Jersey. Start with your local trade union hall, joint apprenticeship committee (JAC), or state apprenticeship agency. You can also search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP.
How much do Ironworker apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $38,885/yr in New Jersey). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Ironworker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in New Jersey

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