Ironworker at Memphis Ironworkers Jac
at Memphis Ironworkers Jac in Memphis, TN
About This Program
Memphis Ironworkers JAC administers a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in Memphis, TN. Serving the construction industry of the greater Memphis area through a Joint Apprenticeship Committee, this JATC program provides a paid training pathway for individuals committed to mastering one of the most skilled and essential trades in construction.
Over four years, apprentices complete 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Day-to-day work on construction projects covers structural steel erection, rebar installation, rigging and hoisting, welding, and equipment safety. Classroom instruction reinforces these skills with training in OSHA safety standards, blueprint reading, load charts, rigging mathematics, and ironworking trade principles.
Graduates of the Memphis Ironworkers JAC program attain journeyman ironworker status, opening the door to sustained employment on commercial, industrial, and public construction projects across Tennessee and the mid-South. Union membership provides negotiated compensation, health coverage, pension benefits, and the professional support of the ironworkers union.
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.
How to Apply
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
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.