Ironworker at Ironworkers Local #9 Jac Of Niagara County
at Ironworkers Local #9 Jac Of Niagara County in Niagara Falls, NY
About This Program
The Ironworkers Local #9 JAC of Niagara County offers a registered union ironworker apprenticeship based in Niagara Falls, NY. Sponsored through a Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JATC), this program provides apprentices with structured, paid training in the ironworking trade from day one.
The apprenticeship runs for four years and combines 6,000 hours of on-the-job training with 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices learn to erect structural steel, place reinforcing bars, rig and signal crane operations, and work with precast concrete and ornamental iron. Classroom instruction covers blueprint reading, safety standards, rigging mathematics, and trade fundamentals.
Upon completing the program, apprentices earn journeyman ironworker status — a recognized credential that opens doors to work on commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects throughout the region. Union membership through Local #9 also provides access to negotiated wages, benefits, and continued training opportunities throughout a career in the trade.
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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