Job prospects Ironworker in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "ironworker" in Ontario or Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

Note: These outlooks were updated on November 29th, 2023. Learn more about our methodology.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Moderate

The employment outlook will be moderate for Ironworkers (NOC 72105) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
  • Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

  • Construction mainly as foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors
  • Manufacturers of architectural and structural metals and primary metals

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

  • Large infrastructure investments
  • New housing developments including the construction of multi-unit buildings in some of Ontario’s largest urban centres
  • Demand for building materials is expected to support work for architectural and structural metals manufacturers and steel producers

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

  • There are four voluntary skilled trades associated with this occupation in Ontario, named, Ironworker (Generalist), Reinforcing Rodworker, Ironworker (Structural and Ornamental), and Precast Concrete Erector.

Here are some key facts about Ironworkers in Ontario:

  • Approximately 5,200 people work in this occupation.
  • Ironworkers mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Construction (NAICS 23): 68%
    • Fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332): 9%
  • 54% of ironworkers work all year, while 46% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
  • Less than 5% of ironworkers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
  • The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
    • Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations
    • Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations
  • The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
    • no high school diploma: 12% compared to 9% for all occupations
    • high school diploma or equivalent: 24% compared to 25% for all occupations
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 44% compared to 8% for all occupations
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 22% for all occupations
    • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations
    • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Legend

0 out of 5 stars
Undetermined
1 out of 5 stars
Very limited
2 out of 5 stars
Limited
3 out of 5 stars
Moderate
4 out of 5 stars
Good
5 out of 5 stars
Very good
Location Job prospects
Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula Region Moderate
Kingston–Pembroke Region Moderate
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie Region Moderate
London Region Moderate
Muskoka–Kawarthas Region Moderate
Northeast Region Moderate
Northwest Region Undetermined
Ottawa Region Moderate
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula Region Moderate
Toronto Region Moderate
Windsor-Sarnia Region Moderate

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour Market Information Survey
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