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Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Position and secure steel bars or mesh in concrete forms in order to reinforce concrete. Use a variety of fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, and hand tools. Includes rod busters.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $58,970/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$43,310$104,540

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +4.6% projected growth, 20242034 — about as fast as average.

About 1,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
CoordinationCritical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingOperation and ControlComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringTime ManagementReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Top knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMathematicsAdministration and ManagementDesignEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalEducation and Training
Core tasks

Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions.

Space and fasten together rods in forms according to blueprints, using wire and pliers.

Position and secure steel bars, rods, cables, or mesh in concrete forms, using fasteners, rod-bending machines, blowtorches, or hand tools.

Cut rods to required lengths, using metal shears, hacksaws, bar cutters, or acetylene torches.

Place blocks under rebar to hold the bars off the deck when reinforcing floors.

Cut and fit wire mesh or fabric, using hooked rods, and position fabric or mesh in concrete to reinforce concrete.

Bend steel rods with hand tools or rod-bending machines and weld them with arc-welding equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?

The median pay for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers is $58,970 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?

Employment for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers is projected to change +4.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?

About 1,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.