Ironworker at San Antonio Iron Worker JATC
at San Antonio Iron Worker JATC in San Antonio, TX
About This Program
The San Antonio Iron Worker JATC offers a registered union ironworker apprenticeship in San Antonio, TX. Operated as a Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee program, it gives apprentices access to union resources, employer partnerships, and a structured pathway into one of construction's most skilled and respected trades. Apprentices are paid throughout their training.
The four-year program includes 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work alongside experienced journeymen learning structural steel erection, reinforcing iron placement, rigging and signaling, welding, and safety practices. Classroom instruction covers technical theory, blueprint reading, and trade mathematics to support the skills developed in the field.
Graduates earn journeyman ironworker status upon completing the program, qualifying them to work on major commercial, industrial, and government construction projects. San Antonio's continued growth in construction and infrastructure makes this a timely credential with strong long-term career prospects.
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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