Structural Steel Construction Workers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Structural Steel Construction Workers assemble rigging gear to move and position equipment and structural components, erect scaffolding, position and secure steel reinforcing in concrete forms, and erect and dismantle structural steel frames.
Tasks
-
erecting lifting tackles by attaching pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures, and installing cables and attaching counterweights
-
attaching slinging gear to hoisting equipment and objects to be moved using clamps, hooks, bolts and knots
-
fitting and bolting tubes, support braces and components to form bases and build up scaffolding
-
lifting and positioning sections of scaffolding
-
measuring, cutting, bending and fitting welded wire mesh into concrete areas to be mesh-reinforced
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fixing mesh and reinforcing steel into position in formwork for concrete pours
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setting up winches and rigging equipment to raise and position girders, plates, columns and other steel units
-
erecting guard rails, guy wires, ropes and clears, laying planks and hanging safety nets
Characteristics
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Informal or on-the-job
-
Practical
-
Medium
-
Heavy
-
Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to decline
- is likely to reach 14,400 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 23,800 |
2012 | 26,100 |
2013 | 19,800 |
2014 | 26,200 |
2015 | 29,700 |
2016 | 21,500 |
2017 | 23,600 |
2018 | 27,000 |
2019 | 24,200 |
2020 | 23,700 |
2021 | 15,500 |
2026 | 14,400 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 85% of people employed as Structural Steel Construction Workers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 19 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 49 hours per week in their main job. This is 5 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $1,750 per week, this is higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,581
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,302
Median hourly earnings are $42, this is similar to the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Structural Steel Construction Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,750 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
-
Most Structural Steel Construction Workers work in the Construction industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Structural Steel Construction Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 18.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 24.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 21.6 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 46% of Structural Steel Construction Workers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Western Australia and Queensland have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Latrobe - Gippsland.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Structural Steel Construction Workers is 35 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 1% of the workforce. This is 47 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Structural Steel Construction Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.7 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 35.5 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 16.8 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 5.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 2.3 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 0.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 35 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Structural Steel Construction Worker. Although some workers have a certificate II or III in steelfixing, rigging of scaffolding.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Structural Steel Construction Workers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.5 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 39.5 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 21.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 8.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 24.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Structural Steel Construction Workers who are motivated and hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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43%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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43%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
39%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
34%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
-
34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
32%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
-
30%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
-
27%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
88%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
54%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
53%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
47%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
44%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
43%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
41%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
40%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
39%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
36%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
31%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
30%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
27%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
26%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
-
25%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
22%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
15%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
12%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
11%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
-
10%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
64%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
57%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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57%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
55%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
55%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
-
55%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
55%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
55%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
55%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
55%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
55%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
-
54%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
54%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
54%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
-
54%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
52%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
-
45%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
-
45%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
-
43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
90%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
80%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
65%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
59%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
57%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
57%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
57%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
55%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
54%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
52%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
51%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
50%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
49%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
-
46%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
46%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
45%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
45%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
43%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
-
42%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
-
40%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
43%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
43%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
76%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
67%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
45%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
43%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
96%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
96%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
95%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
93%
Work at heightsWork in high places (e.g., on poles, scaffolding, catwalks, or ladders).
-
92%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
91%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
-
89%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
89%
Wear specialized protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection.
-
88%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
88%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
87%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
87%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
86%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
86%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
85%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
84%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
83%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
81%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
-
81%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2221.00 - Structural Iron and Steel Workers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.