What gross pay is realistic for rebar work in the USA?

A practical national benchmark for reinforcing iron and rebar workers is around $28.50 per hour gross (median). Many offers vary by project type, location, and overtime patterns; a common working band is roughly $22–$40 per hour gross depending on experience and site conditions.

Do I need to read drawings?

You do not need to be an engineer, but you should read basic measurements, marks, and simple rebar placement instructions. Many sites use bar schedules or placement references that supervisors explain on-site.

Is rebar work physically demanding?

Yes. It involves lifting, carrying, bending, tying, kneeling, and working outdoors. Stamina and safe lifting habits matter.

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Rebar Worker Jobs in the USA

Q: Is this role typically permanent (EB-3 skilled-aligned)?

Rebar work can be year-round on many projects. Any immigration pathway depends on the employer and official procedures; this page is informational only.

This page summarizes the Rebar Worker role category in the United States (also called a reinforcing ironworker or rod buster). The goal is straightforward: build reinforcement correctly so concrete can carry the load. That means accurate placement, strong ties, clean cover, and jobsite discipline. CV is required for review.

Sector: Construction & Trades Typical route: EB-3 (skilled) Work type: Permanent Pay basis: Gross (brutto) Last updated: January 1, 2026

CV is mandatory: candidates without a CV are not reviewed.

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Short candidate portrait

Strong rebar workers are “quiet builders”: fast hands, accurate eyes, and zero tolerance for unsafe shortcuts.

Can tie consistently (speed matters, but accuracy wins)
Reads measurements and follows placement marks without guessing
Stays productive outdoors in heat, cold, and wind
Works as a crew: carries, stages, ties, and cleans the work zone
Treats safety as a routine (PPE, housekeeping, hazard awareness)

Best CVs show proof: bar sizes used, tying method, tools, typical structures (slabs/walls/foundations), and productivity examples (crew pace, pour readiness).

Compensation snapshot (gross / brutto)

Rebar pay varies by project type, location, and overtime patterns. Public works and union environments can differ from private sites. The figures below are practical benchmarks for the occupation category.

Benchmark	Gross hourly	Gross annual
10th percentile (lower range)	$18.97 / hour	$39,470 / year
Median (national reference)	$28.50 / hour	$59,280 / year
90th percentile (upper range)	$45.93 / hour	$95,530 / year
Common offer band you may see	$22 – $40 / hour (gross), depending on experience, structure type, and overtime.

All amounts on this page are gross (brutto). Net pay depends on lawful withholdings and benefit elections.

What foremen check first (real jobsite logic)

Tie quality: consistent tight ties where required; no loose cage sections.
Placement accuracy: correct spacing, lap lengths, and alignment per layout marks.
Cover discipline: chairs/spacers in place; bars not sitting on soil or form edges.
Pour readiness: cage stable, walkways clear, and cleanup done before inspection/pour.
Safety behavior: PPE, housekeeping, hazard reporting, and no risky shortcuts.

The rebar role is not only strength. It is repeatable precision under physical load.

Scope of work (rebar-specific)

Stage materials: unload, sort, and stage bars/mesh so the crew can work without delays.
Measure & mark: follow layout marks; confirm bar size/shape identification before placement.
Cut/bend (site-dependent): use benders/cutters when assigned; keep ends clean and safe.
Place reinforcement: foundations, slabs, walls, beams, columns, decks (project-dependent).
Tie & secure: wire tying with pliers or tying tools; ensure cage stability.
Install supports: chairs/spacers; maintain cover and keep steel off soil/forms as required.
Pour readiness: stabilize cages, clear access, assist with inspection readiness and corrections.

Requirements (detailed)

Must-have

CV in English (required for review)
Rebar tying skill (hands-on); basic knowledge of bar sizes and common tie types
Physical capacity: lifting/carrying, repetitive bending/tying, long periods standing/kneeling
Comfort working outdoors and on active jobsites
Ability to follow safety instructions and site rules (PPE, housekeeping, hazard reporting)
Shift readiness and reliable attendance (construction schedules can start early)

Quality expectations (what “good” means)

Bars placed to correct spacing; ties tight and consistent where required
Correct lap lengths and clean alignment (no “floating” bars)
Supports installed so reinforcement stays in position during pour
Work zone clean and safe; walk paths not blocked by wire scraps or offcuts

Preferred (improves shortlisting)

Ability to read simple bar placement references or bar schedule notes (supervisor-guided)
Experience with foundations/walls/decks or high-production slab work
Tool familiarity: tying tools, cutters/benders (when assigned), basic rigging awareness
Consistent productivity without sacrificing safety

On your CV, list: tying method, typical bar sizes, structure types (slabs/walls/foundations), and whether you worked on inspection/pour readiness.

U.S. jobsite conditions (practical)

Schedule: early starts; weather and concrete schedules can affect timing
Overtime: often available on deadline-driven projects (rules depend on employer and classification)
Environment: outdoor exposure; mud, dust, and heat/cold management are normal
Safety culture: PPE and housekeeping are taken seriously on many sites
Productivity: work is paced by crew coordination and pour deadlines

Safety note: Rebar work has sharp edges, pinch points, heavy handling, and fall/impalement risk areas on some sites. Follow site rules, use PPE, and report hazards early.

Tools & “proof of competence” (what employers want to hear)

Rebar hiring decisions are practical. Employers look for proof you can produce stable, correct reinforcement safely and consistently.

Area	What you should know	How to prove it on a CV
Tying	Common tie types; consistent tight ties; speed with quality	“Rebar tying daily; manual/tying tool; stable cages; pour readiness support”
Placement	Spacing discipline; alignment; lap awareness; supports	“Placed reinforcement for slabs/walls/foundations; chairs/spacers; corrected before pour”
Material handling	Staging, sorting, safe lifting; teamwork	“Crew staging; maintained clear work paths; supported rigging/handling under supervision”
Safety	PPE discipline; housekeeping; hazard reporting	“PPE compliant; clean work zone; reported hazards; followed site safety briefings”

The easiest way to stand out is to write specific rebar tasks you actually did (not generic “construction help”).

EB-3 context (high-level)

Many rebar roles are year-round on active construction markets. Any immigration pathway depends on the employer and official procedures. This page is informational only and not legal advice.

If shortlisted, employers typically focus on real skill proof (tying/placement), reliability, and safety behavior.

Next steps

Create / upload your CV and keep phone/email accurate.
We review CVs for rebar readiness: tying competence, placement accuracy, and jobsite discipline.
If shortlisted, you proceed to employer interview and documentation steps.

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What to add to your CV (fast, high-impact)

Structure types: slabs, walls, foundations, decks, columns (what you actually did)
Bar sizes you handled; tying method (manual/tying tool)
Any “pour readiness” experience (inspection fixes, cage stabilization, cleanup discipline)
Work conditions you can handle: outdoor, early starts, overtime readiness

Role story (anti-template module)

This block is generated by a shared category engine and remains stable per URL. Different pages receive different structure, microcopy, and FAQs so the category does not look duplicated.

Rebar work is the “hidden structure” of concrete. When reinforcement is placed correctly, everything that follows—inspection, pour, finishing—goes smoother.

The best crews are not loud. They are organized: staged steel, clean walk paths, steady tying, and fast correction before the pour clock starts.

FAQ (anti-template set)

Do I need rebar experience, or can I start as a helper?

Many employers prefer hands-on tying and placement experience. Some crews take strong helpers who learn fast, but you still must follow safety and quality instructions strictly.

What is the hardest part of the job?

Maintaining consistent quality while working physically hard outdoors. Fast work that fails inspection usually becomes slower later.

Do rebar workers get overtime?

Overtime is common on deadline-driven projects. Overtime rules depend on the employer and classification; many hourly roles use time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a week.

Do I need my own tools?

Policies vary. Some sites provide tools; others expect basic personal hand tools. Your supervisor will clarify what is required for the project.

Related roles in Construction & Trades

Use these internal links to compare similar roles before applying.

Visa & authorization disclaimer: Any U.S. work authorization path (e.g., H-2A, H-2B, EB-3) depends on the hiring employer, eligibility, and official procedures. This page is informational and not legal advice.