Ironworkers
Occupation · NOC 2021 72105 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 72105
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 796
- Median wage, Canada
- C$43.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 235
OC<CANIRONWORKERS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 721051<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
Ironworkers fabricate, erect, hoist, install, repair and service structural ironwork, precast concrete, concrete reinforcing materials, curtain walls, ornamental iron and other metals used in the construction of buildings, bridges, highways, dams and other structures and equipment. They are employed by construction ironwork contractors. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Example job titles
- ironworker
- ironworker - metal building systems erector
- ironworker apprentice
- ornamental ironworker
- reinforcing ironworker
- structural steel erector
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Read blueprints and specifications to lay out work
- Unload and position steel units so each piece can be hoisted as needed
- Erect and install scaffolding, hoisting equipment and rigging
- Signal crane operator to position steel units according to blueprints
- Align and weld or bolt steel units in place
- Erect structural and architectural precast concrete components for buildings, bridges, towers and other structures
- Assemble and erect prefabricated metal structures
- Position and secure steel bars or metal mesh in concrete forms to reinforce concrete structures
- Install ornamental and other structural metalwork such as curtain walls, metal stairways, railings and power doors
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a two- to three-year apprenticeship program or Over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in ironworking are usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for ironworker (generalist) is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
- Trade certification for ironworker (reinforcing) is compulsory in Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
- Trade certification for ironworker (structural/ornamental) is compulsory in Alberta and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
- Trade certification for ironworker (metal building systems erector) is compulsory in Alberta.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified ironworkers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 85 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 105 |
| 2022 | 152 |
| 2023 | 185 |
| 2024 | 136 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 11 |
- 635971 BC Ltd.152
- Davicon Forming Inc.56
- A&H Steel Ltd.27
- LEDCOR RMC SERVICES LTD.25
- Aecon Construction Solutions Inc.25
- Capital Steel Ltd21
- GH REBAR GROUP LTD21
- Baran Steel Placing Rebar Inc20
- ALUMASAFWAY, INC.18
- Ekay Rebar Limited15
- Cobra Rebar Services Ltd.14
- EK & A Rebar Contracting Limited14
- Broncos Rebar Ltd.14
- Blue Pacific Drywall Ltd.11
- M.E.M Reinforcement Ltd11
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 0 |
| 2025 | 15 | 0 |
| 2024 | 70 | 10 |
| 2023 | 55 | 0 |
| 2022 | 70 | 0 |
| 2021 | 25 | 0 |
| 2020 | 15 | 0 |
| 2019 | 55 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 10 |
| 2016 | 0 | 10 |
| 2015 | 25 | 30 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 55 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 55 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 70 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 80 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 35 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 15 |
- Canadian Experience Class50
- Provincial Nominee Program40
- Federal Skilled Trades15
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$29.00 | C$43.00 | C$49.80 |
| Alberta | C$27.00 | C$40.60 | C$51.00 |
| British Columbia | C$26.00 | C$38.09 | C$50.59 |
| Manitoba | C$25.07 | C$35.00 | C$48.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$26.00 | C$38.00 | C$48.36 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$32.00 | C$41.09 | C$48.11 |
| Nova Scotia | C$24.72 | C$36.71 | C$47.35 |
| Ontario | C$32.27 | C$44.34 | C$50.25 |
| Quebec | C$35.10 | C$44.23 | C$48.60 |
| Saskatchewan | C$25.00 | C$39.08 | C$46.92 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 235
- Vacancies advertised
- 567
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$37.00
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