Steel Erector Jobs in the UK

Steel erectors build the skeleton of every steel-framed building in the UK. From city centre office towers to warehouse frames and bridge structures, steel erectors assemble the structural steelwork that everything else hangs on. It is physically demanding, works at height, and pays £18-28/hour for skilled operatives. There are currently 217 live steel erector vacancies on SiteJobs.

What Does a Steel Erector Do?

Steel erectors assemble prefabricated steel beams, columns, girders and pipework to create the structural framework of buildings and other structures. According to Go Construct, the official construction careers portal, the role involves:

• Reviewing technical plans drawn by architects and engineers
• Planning project assembly sequences
• Cutting and shaping steel components on site
• Operating hand and power tools
• Installing and fixing together steel girders, pipework and beam sections
• Using elevated work platforms (MEWPs) and scissor lifts
• Laying metal decking for composite floors
• Fixing safety netting and edge protection
• Lifting and guiding components into position with tower cranes
• Lining up and levelling steelwork before bolting it in place

Steel erectors work on site, often at significant height, and are among the first trades on a structural project. The steel frame must be erected before floors, walls, cladding and internal trades can begin.

Steel Erector Pay Rates 2026

Steel erector pay varies by experience, location and the complexity of the project. Data from talent.com puts the average erector salary at £35,100 per year (£18/hour), with entry-level positions starting at £27,887 and experienced workers earning up to £46,252. Go Construct reports a wider range, with newly trained steel erectors starting at £28,000 and experienced erectors earning up to £71,000 including overtime and specialist project work.

• Steel Erector (entry level, CSCS red card): £15-18/hour
• Steel Erector (CSCS blue card, NVQ Level 2): £18-22/hour
• Experienced Steel Erector: £22-28/hour
• Lead Steel Erector / Chargehand: £25-32/hour
• Day rate (self-employed/CIS): £180-£250/day
• Annual salary (permanent): £35,000-£50,000 (experienced, plus overtime)

London and the South East typically pay 15-25% above the national average. Major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Thames Tideway have driven rates up further, with specialist steel erection roles on these projects commanding £25-30/hour plus travel and accommodation allowances.

What Tickets Do Steel Erectors Need?

Steel erection is a safety-critical trade. The following certifications are required or strongly expected:

• CSCS Blue Skilled Worker card: The standard requirement for site access. Requires an NVQ Level 2 in Steel Erecting and a passed CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. The Operatives test costs £22.50 and is booked through Pearson VUE. See our guide on booking the CSCS Operatives test. Apply for the card at cscsonline.uk.com. See our complete CSCS Card Guide for full details.
• IPAF card (MEWP operator): Steel erectors regularly use mobile elevating work platforms (cherry pickers and scissor lifts) for access. An IPAF 3a (vertical) or 3b (boom) certification is typically required. Verify an IPAF card at ipaf.org. See our guide on checking an IPAF card.
• CPCS or NPORS Slinger/Signaller ticket: Steel erection involves crane lifts. Most employers require a CPCS A40 Slinger/Signaller certification or NPORS equivalent so erectors can guide loads. See our guide on checking a CPCS card.
• Working at height training: Fall arrest harness training and rescue plan competency. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that all work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent persons. See our full guide on working at height.
• Asbestos awareness: Mandatory for work on buildings constructed before 2000. Training must be UKATA approved.
• First aid (EFAW or FAW): Strongly preferred, particularly on remote sites where emergency response times are longer.

Safety and Legal Framework

Steel erection is one of the highest-risk activities in construction. The HSE guidance on steel erection identifies six key hazards: falls from height, materials being dropped, being struck by moving steel members, unintended structural collapse before the frame is fully braced, manual handling injuries, and cranes or MEWPs overturning.

The following legislation applies directly to steel erection work:

• Work at Height Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/735): Regulation 6 requires that work at height is avoided where reasonably practicable. Where it cannot be avoided, falls must be prevented using collective protection (guard rails, safety nets) or personal protection (harnesses with twin lanyards). Safety nets must be rigged as close as possible to the working level. Walking on the top flange of a steel beam is explicitly prohibited by HSE guidance.
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015): The principal contractor must ensure that steel erection is planned and sequenced in consultation with the frame designer. A sequential method of erection must maintain structural stability at every stage. Bracing, guys or temporary stays must be installed to prevent unintended collapse. See HSE L153 guidance on CDM 2015.
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER, SI 1998/2307): All crane lifts must be planned by a competent person (Appointed Person), supervised, and carried out safely. Lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined every 6 months (accessories) or 12 months (equipment). See LOLER 1998 on legislation.gov.uk.
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER): All tools and equipment used in steel erection must be suitable for the purpose, maintained in good order, and used only by trained operatives.

According to the HSE fatal injury statistics for 2025/26, 25 workers were killed in construction - the highest of any sector. Falls from height accounted for 31 of the 126 worker fatalities across all industries. Steel erectors are specifically identified by the HSE as working in one of the most high-risk safety-critical roles. See our full guide on high-risk safety-critical jobs in construction.

Types of Steel Erection Work

• Structural steel frames: The most common type - erecting columns, beams and bracing for multi-storey office buildings, residential towers, schools and hospitals. Work involves bolting, welding and grouting steel connections.
• Industrial and warehouse frames: Single-storey portal frames for warehouses, distribution centres and factories. Typically erected using mobile telescopic cranes and MEWPs.
• Bridge steelwork: Installing structural steel girders and deck units for highway and railway bridges. Often involves large crane lifts over water or live infrastructure.
• Metal decking: Laying profiled steel decking on top of floor beams to create a safe working platform and formwork for composite concrete floors. Decking is fixed using shot-fired pins or welding.
• Steel stairs and handrails: Installing permanent or temporary steel staircases and edge protection handrails as the frame progresses, providing safe access for follow-on trades.
• Cladding support frames: Installing secondary steelwork that supports cladding systems. Often combined with cladding installation - see our cladder jobs guide for details.

Where Steel Erectors Work

• London and South East: The highest concentration of steel-framed high-rise projects. Rates of £22-30/hour are common. See our London construction jobs guide.
• Midlands: Major industrial and distribution warehouse projects around Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester. Rates of £18-24/hour.
• North West and Yorkshire: Mixed commercial and residential steel frames in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield. Rates of £18-24/hour.
• Scotland: Infrastructure and commercial projects in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Rates of £18-23/hour. See our Edinburgh construction jobs guide and Glasgow construction jobs guide.
• Major infrastructure projects: HS2, Thames Tideway and other mega-projects require large steel erection teams for extended periods. These projects often offer the highest rates and long-term stability.

How to Become a Steel Erector

There are three main routes into steel erection:

• Apprenticeship: A Level 2 Structural Steelwork Erector apprenticeship is the most structured route. You will work for a steelwork contractor while completing off-the-job training. Apprenticeships last approximately 18-24 months and lead to an NVQ Level 2 qualification.
• Direct entry with experience: If you have site experience as a labourer, steel fixer or similar trade, you can apply directly to steelwork contractors. You may start as an assistant to an experienced erector and progress as your skills develop. You will need a CSCS card.
• College course: A Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills or Level 2 Award in Skills for Engineering provides useful background knowledge before seeking site work.

Physical fitness, confidence working at height, and an awareness of health and safety are essential. Most employers will assess these during an initial site trial.

Career Progression

With experience, steel erectors can progress to:

• Lead erector / chargehand: Supervising a small team of erectors on site
• Steel erection foreman: Managing the full erection team and coordinating with the principal contractor
• Site supervisor or site manager: Overall site management - requires further qualifications such as SMSTS. See our site supervisor jobs guide and site manager jobs guide.
• Welder: Adding coded welding qualifications opens up higher-paying roles. See our welder jobs guide.
• Crane supervisor / Appointed Person: Moving into lift planning with CPCS A61 certification. See our crane supervisor jobs guide.

Finding Steel Erector Jobs

Steel erection vacancies are listed on SiteJobs with 217 live roles currently available. Every listing has a verified phone number so you can call the employer direct - no registration walls, no agency middlemen taking a cut. Browse by trade and location to find steel erector roles near you.

Major steelwork contractors in the UK include Severfield, William Hare, Atlas Ward, Elland Steel Structures and CA Group Services. These companies regularly recruit steel erectors directly and through specialist construction agencies.

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Browse All Steel Erector Jobs

See all live steel erector vacancies on SiteJobs. Call direct, no registration walls. Search sitejobs-code15 on Google.