How to Become an Ironworker in Louisiana (2026)

Louisiana employs about 1,180 ironworkers earning a median $68,830 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most ironworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Louisiana.

Louisiana employs approximately 1,180 ironworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $68,830 1. The state’s concentration of ironworker jobs is 1.39x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, ironworker employment is projected to grow 4.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 5,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Ironworker in Louisiana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Louisiana): $68,830 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an Ironworker in Louisiana

How to become an Ironworker in Louisiana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for ironworkers in Louisiana.

How long does it take? Most paths into the ironworker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do ironworkers earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for ironworkers in Louisiana is $68,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,130 and experienced professionals can earn $80,560 or more 1.

How to Become an Ironworker in Louisiana

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Louisiana training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Louisiana that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to ironworkers in Louisiana before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Ironworker Apprenticeship Information in Louisiana

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Louisiana’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Louisiana Registered Apprenticeship Division 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Louisiana Workforce Commission, Apprenticeship
  • Address: 1001 N. 23rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
  • Phone: (225) 342-7820
  • Email: [email protected]

Ironworker Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), reinforcing iron and rebar workers wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Baton Rouge440$73,155$66,898$46,905$82,771
New Orleans-Metairie100$47,530$49,210$27,790$63,630
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux90$46,800$42,060$25,310$55,130

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for ironworkers in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 1,180 ironworkers 1. Nationally, ironworker employment is projected to grow 4.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Louisiana. You can also contact the Louisiana Registered Apprenticeship Division for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do ironworkers earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for ironworkers in Louisiana is $68,830, which is $6,130 above the national median of $62,700 according to BLS data 1.

In Louisiana

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Louisiana Registered Apprenticeship Division: http://www.laworks.net/ORS_websponsorsearch.asp ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)