What apprenticeships are available for ironworkers in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become an Ironworker in West Virginia (2026)

Q: How much do ironworkers earn in West Virginia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), ironworkers in West Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $71,850. Employment concentration in West Virginia is roughly 0.47 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for ironworkers in West Virginia?

West Virginia currently employs approximately 150 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

West Virginia employs about 150 ironworkers earning a median $71,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most ironworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in West Virginia.

Key Facts

Median wage (West Virginia): $71,850/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in West Virginia: 150 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.47x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 4.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

West Virginia employs approximately 150 ironworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $71,850 ¹. 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 West Virginia, 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 (West Virginia): $71,850 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an Ironworker in West Virginia

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

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 West Virginia? The median annual wage for ironworkers in West Virginia is $71,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,620 and experienced professionals can earn $80,200 or more ¹.

How to Become an Ironworker in West Virginia

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

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. West Virginia’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships ³.

Contact Information:

Office: West Virginia Community and Technical College System
Address: 1018 Kanawha Blvd E., Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-0265
Email: [email protected]

Ironworker Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	1,060	$68,314	$67,477	$50,724	$85,359
Winchester	30	$60,420	$60,500	$47,890	$89,120

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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 150 ironworkers ¹. Nationally, ironworker employment is projected to grow 4.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in West Virginia. You can also contact the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do ironworkers earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for ironworkers in West Virginia is $71,850, which is $9,150 above the national median of $62,700 according to BLS data ¹.

In West Virginia

Best Trade Schools in West Virginia (2026)

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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

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships: https://workforcewv.org/images/files/job-seekers/REGISTERED_STATEWIDE_APPRENTICESHIP_SPONSORS.pdf ↩︎

Data sources

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

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / 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)