Steel erector
Steel erectors assemble beams and girders that support the structure of buildings, stadiums, bridges and tunnels.
Typical Salary
£24,000 – £40,000
per year
Working Hours
40–48
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a steel erector, you'll:
- follow instructions on engineering plans
- guide steel loads that are being lifted into position
- bolt or weld girders and steel sections together
- fix metal decking, safety rails and netting into place
- operate and work from mobile high access platforms
- dismantle steelwork on demolition jobs
Skills needed
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- physical fitness and endurance
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Career progression
As an experienced steel erector, you could become a site safety supervisor, engineering construction technician or site manager.
You could also move into related areas, like:
- scaffolding
- plant or crane operations
- welding
- training