Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 62%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Structural Iron and Steel Workers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 5% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 62% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 68,380 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $62,780 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 65% for contact with people.
- Also called: Field Iron Worker, Iron Worker, Ironworker, Steel Erector.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect columns, beams, and girders with bolts, following blueprints and instructions from supervisors | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Erect metal or precast concrete components for structures, such as buildings, bridges, dams, towers, storage tanks, fences, or highway guard rails | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Cut, bend, or weld steel pieces, using metal shears, torches, or welding equipment | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Bolt aligned structural steel members in position for permanent riveting, bolting, or welding into place | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Fasten structural steel members to hoist cables, using chains, cables, or rope | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Lift steel beams, girders, or columns using cranes or forklifts, or by signaling hoisting equipment operators to lift or position structural steel members | 6% | 32% to 68% | |
| Assemble or inspect hoisting equipment or rigging, such as cables, pulleys, or hooks, to move heavy equipment or materials | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Read specifications or blueprints to determine the locations, quantities, or sizes of materials required | 5% | 79% to 97% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills structural iron and steel workers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $58,970
- Electricians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,190
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic61% of tasks by 2035 · US median $63,870
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers41% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,990
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Structural Iron and Steel Workers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of structural iron and steel workers?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of structural iron and steel workers today and 62% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 47-2221.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Structural Iron and Steel Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/structural-iron-and-steel-workers/