Ironworker at Austin Iron Workers Local 482 JATC
at Austin Iron Workers Local 482 JATC in Austin, TX
About This Program
The Austin Iron Workers Local 482 JATC offers a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Austin, TX. Backed by the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, this program provides apprentices with both union membership benefits and structured, employer-sponsored training on active construction sites. Apprentices earn a paycheck from the moment they begin.
Spanning four years, the program delivers 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop skills in structural steel erection, reinforcing iron placement, rigging, welding, blueprint reading, and safety protocols. Classroom coursework is designed to complement and deepen the practical knowledge gained on the job.
Graduates of this apprenticeship earn journeyman ironworker status, a portable and respected credential recognized throughout the industry. With Austin's construction industry continuing to expand, journeyman ironworkers trained through Local 482 are well-positioned for sustained, high-quality employment in the region.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$29
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Ironworker Career Outlook
National Median
$28.82/hr
~$59,945.6/yr
Apprentice Start
$18/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Ironworker employment is tied to large-scale construction activity including commercial buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. Federal infrastructure investment and urban development continue to drive demand. The trade has a relatively small workforce, so retirements create proportionally more openings. Ironworkers with welding and rigging certifications are in highest demand.
What to Expect as an Ironworker Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~30 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Ironworker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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