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Construction and Trades

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
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Median pay

$59,280
Median annual pay for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

4.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

19,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+900
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Apprenticeship.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Building and Construction
  2. 2Mathematics
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4Design
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Engineering and Technology

Abilities

  1. 1Static Strength
  2. 2Trunk Strength
  3. 3Multilimb Coordination
  4. 4Manual Dexterity
  5. 5Arm-Hand Steadiness
  6. 6Extent Flexibility

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Stress Tolerance
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Handling and Moving Objects
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Performing General Physical Activities
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  6. 6Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Work context

  1. 1Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Health and Safety of Other Workers
  4. 4Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Time Pressure

Representative 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.

Software and tools

Application Software SHEARApplied Systems Associates aSa RebarOTP ArmaCADRebarWin

The short answer

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.

The measurable national baseline is $59,280 median annual pay, 4.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 1,500 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers is $59,280. Current employment is 19,400, with projected 2034 employment of 20,300. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 4.6% employment growth for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers from 2024 to 2034 and about 1,500 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Apprenticeship. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

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.

A representative O*NET task is: Determine quantities, sizes, shapes, and locations of reinforcing rods from blueprints, sketches, or oral instructions. The broader activity profile emphasizes Handling and Moving Objects, Getting Information, Performing General Physical Activities.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening. Leading knowledge areas are Building and Construction, Mathematics, Administration and Management. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Application Software SHEAR, Applied Systems Associates aSa Rebar, OTP ArmaCAD, RebarWin.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $59,280. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?

BLS projects 4.6% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 1,500 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers?

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers involve?

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.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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