Ironworker at Dallas and West Texas Ironworkers Local 263 JATC
at Dallas and West Texas Ironworkers Local 263 JATC in Arlington, TX
About This Program
Dallas and West Texas Ironworkers Local 263 JATC sponsors this registered union ironworker apprenticeship based in Arlington, TX. As a JATC program, it brings together union and employer partners to deliver structured, paid training that prepares apprentices for the full scope of the ironworking trade. Apprentices receive wages throughout the entire program.
The apprenticeship runs four years, incorporating 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain hands-on experience in structural steel erection, rebar and reinforcing iron work, rigging and hoisting, welding, and job site safety. Technical classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, math for the trades, and ironworking theory.
Upon completion, apprentices graduate as journeyman ironworkers — a credential that carries weight across Texas and nationally. The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex is home to major commercial and infrastructure construction activity, giving journeyman ironworkers from this program access to a robust and active job market.
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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