Ironworker Apprenticeship in Wisconsin

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.

WI Median Salary
$81,020/yr
+37% vs. national
National Median
$59,280/yr
WI Employment
120
Ironworkers employed
WI Sponsors
2
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 Wisconsin: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered ironworker apprenticeship in Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin pay vs. national

Median ironworker wages in Wisconsin are $81,020/year, +37% above the national median of $59,280. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

Wisconsin has 2 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 — Wisconsin-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

Wisconsin Wage Spread

Annual wages for Ironworkers in Wisconsin across all experience levels.

10th pct
$58,280
Median
$81,020
90th pct
$95,160
Middle 50% of workers earn $62,210$95,160

Current Ironworker Apprenticeship Openings in Wisconsin

No ironworker apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin

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

Organization City County
Madison Area Ironworking JAC Madison Dane County
Milwaukee Area Ironworking JAC Milwaukee Milwaukee County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Ironworker openings

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

Ironworker Apprenticeship in Wisconsin

With 2 trade-specific sponsors in our directory, Wisconsin's Ironworker apprenticeship landscape is limited. Candidates should also consider nearby states or contact national union offices for referrals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Ironworkers make in Wisconsin?
Ironworkers in Wisconsin earn a median salary of $81,020/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is above the national median of $59,280 for the trade.
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?
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 Wisconsin?
Our directory surfaces 2 Ironworker-related registered sponsors in Wisconsin. 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?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Wisconsin, a first-year Ironworker apprentice might earn around $40,510/yr (roughly half the $81,020 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 3-year program.

Ironworker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Wisconsin

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