Do you want to work in the steel/iron ore sectors, which have some high-paying jobs? Then this is the article for you. Steel consumption is likely to climb as cities expand, and the sector will benefit from robust domestic demand. In this post, we will examine the Best Paying Jobs In Steel/Iron Ore in 2022.
Iron ore is a critical component in the production of steel. It’s also a great resource in and of itself. Because ore is frequently discovered in distant regions, there are several employment available that do not require a college diploma. Here are five of the highest-paying iron ore jobs:
- The receiver of iron ore
- Iron ore mill worker
- Iron ore miner
- Iron ore mill worker
There are several methods to generate money in the iron ore industry. Some individuals work in mines, while others work in processing factories. Each profession has its own set of needs and benefits, so do your homework before determining which position is best for you. For financial security, it’s wise to weigh your options in light of the highest-paying positions in iron ore.
Mining engineers, plant managers, and safety officials, as well as Iron Ore train drivers and Iron Ore Refining Plant Operators, are among the highest-paying occupations in iron ore.

What Is Steel/Iron Ore?
Steel
Steel is an iron-based alloy. A little amount of carbon is often added to this material to make it more durable and less prone to breaking than other types.
Other components might be present or added. To create stainless steels that are resistant to corrosion and oxidation, chromium must frequently be added at a rate of 11%. Steel is popular due to its inexpensive cost and great tensile strength.
It may also be used to construct structures, tools, and ships.
Iron
The term “iron ore” refers to any rock or mineral from which metallic iron may be mined. Iron ore resources are classified into four kinds.
The most frequent are large hematite (the most often mined), magnetite, and titanium magnetite.
These ores range in hue from dark grey to bright yellow, dark purple to rusty. Iron is the element that gives many of our rocks and the sands of Australia’s deserts their distinctively deep red hue. Iron also gives many of our rocks their rusty appearance.
What Skills And Experience Are Needed To Work In This Field?
The abilities and prior work experience required to operate in the steel and iron ore industries are very variable from one position to the next. On the other hand, the following are some of the most essential competencies and characteristics that should be had by any person working in this industry:
- It is crucial to have strong problem-solving abilities since you will be dealing with difficult challenges on a regular basis. Because of this, you should work on developing your problem-solving skills.
- You will need to be able to interact effectively with both your coworkers and your clients in order to succeed in this role.
- A high degree of physical fitness is necessary for many positions in this sector, as you will be required to operate with a variety of physically demanding tools and equipment.
- A willingness to put in long hours: This is an industry that frequently calls for additional time and long hours of effort.
If you possess these abilities and characteristics, you will be an excellent candidate for a job in the steel or iron ore industry.
Estimated Salary Of Steel/Iron Ore Jobs
The typical income for those who work in the iron ore industry in the United States of America is $60,000. But it varies from location to location.
How Many Jobs Are in Steel/Iron Ore
Over $2 trillion a year is generated by the steel and iron ore sectors, making them a major contributor to global economic activity. This business directly employs over 30 million people worldwide, and its impact may be seen in every corner.
Although business is vital to the global economy, it may also be hazardous to work in. Workers in this business face hazards such as injuries and deaths, long hours, and difficult working conditions.
The iron ore and steel sectors have 4,766 job opportunities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These positions account for the majority of job possibilities in the steel and iron ore industries.
Workers in these jobs may expect to be compensated fairly.
Maintenance and repair employees earn an average of $60,910 per year, while machinists earn an average of $52,090.
Industrial equipment mechanics get a median annual pay of $49,620, while metallurgical engineers earn a median annual salary of $91,130. Electrical and electronics repairers earn a median yearly pay of $52,910.
The steel and iron ore industries provide several opportunities. It is vital to note, however, that this sector is hazardous.
The sector is notorious for its long work hours and difficult working conditions. Injuries and deaths are not uncommon.
If you want to work in the steel or iron ore industries, you should research the dangers and be prepared for them.

Benefits of Working in Steel/Iron Ore
Iron ore is a crucial raw material in many industries throughout the globe. It is used to manufacture steel, which is utilized in everything from buildings and automobiles to tools and weaponry. The advantages of working with iron ore vary depending on the type of iron ore produced.
The most significant advantage of working with iron ore is the money you may earn. Iron ore is an extremely important resource, and many firms rely on it to manufacture products such as steel. The income varies based on the place of employment, however, the average hourly wage is roughly $50. That’s a lot of money, especially if you can hold your employment for an extended period of time.
Another significant advantage of working with iron ore is the ability to travel.
Iron ore is one of the most plentiful minerals on the planet and is required for steel manufacture. There are several advantages to mining iron ore, including:
- Iron Range County has a remarkably low unemployment rate of 3%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is advantageous for individuals seeking work since there are fewer vacancies available than there are for those looking for work.
- Good income and benefits: The average annual salary in Iron Range County is $72,000. Furthermore, many mining businesses provide outstanding perks such as 401K plans, healthcare, and paid time off.
- Many iron ore mines are located near large cities like Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Duluth, allowing employees to conveniently travel to work.
Disadvantages Of Working In Steel/ Iron Ore
It’s important to note that the iron ore sector isn’t without its drawbacks.
- The labor is frequently physically demanding, which may be taxing on the body.
- The income is minimal in comparison to other available occupations.
- Because the business is famously unpredictable, it might be difficult to obtain a position that will persist for an extended length of time.
Is Steel/ Iron Ore A Good Career Path?
Yes, in most cases, working with steel or iron ore is an excellent choice for a career. It is a steady and expanding industry with several work prospects. While there are certain hazards, they are generally addressed by safety precautions. Steel/iron ore is a fantastic choice if you have the requisite abilities and traits to operate in this sector.
Best Paying Jobs In Steel/Iron Ore
In case you were wondering what jobs pay the most in the steel and iron ore industries, we’ve included them below.
Make sure to do your study on them before determining which one is ideal for you because each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
You might have a long and successful career in this fast-growing economic area if you locate suitable employment.
Now that we’ve arrived here, let’s take a look at some of the highest-paying jobs in the steel and iron ore sectors. Furthermore, how many various types of jobs are available in the steel and iron ore industries?
Metallurgists
Metallurgists study metal characteristics and apply their expertise in practical applications such as metal production.
Among other metals, they work with copper, precious metals, iron, steel, zinc, and aluminum alloys.
On average, metallurgists earn $80,000 a year in the steel and iron ore sectors.
A metallurgist’s duties would include studying various metals and conducting analyses on them.

Mine Supervisor
Mining supervisors supervise mining and quarrying activities. They supervise and organize the operations of miners in quarries and mines, both below and on the surface.
When you work as a mine supervisor, you’ll be in charge of making sure everything runs well at an iron ore mine.
This might be the ideal occupation if you are adept at leading others and keeping things orderly.
The mining supervisor of each mine earns $78,000 per year, making it one of the highest-paying occupations in the steel and iron ore industries.

Iron Technician
An iron technologist is routinely listed as one of the highest-paying jobs in the steel and iron ore industries.
If you want to be a successful team leader and build a positive work environment, you must be able to read and write well.
You must be knowledgeable about the elements of high pressure and be aware of variances in every area.
To be qualified for this position, you must have high school graduation and be able to offer a comfortable working environment for your colleagues.

Structural Iron Worker
Workers in the construction business who specialize in structural iron and steel make skeletons out of a variety of steel components, such as girders and columns, to be used in various buildings.
In addition to this, they may install prefabricated metal structures as well as put up the cranes and derricks that will be utilized to transfer supplies and equipment around the project.
This salary range for a structural iron worker is deemed moderate, implying that regardless of the individual’s skill level, location, or multiple years of experience, the pay for this profession will stay constant; yet, there is an opportunity for progress.
The bulk of structural iron workers’ yearly salary in the United States presently varies between $40,500 and $47,500, making it one of the top-paid jobs in Steel/Iron ore.

Structural Steel Fitter
A structural fitter is a type of metalworker that specializes in the production of building components for large-scale construction projects, such as skyscrapers and cargo ships.
Even though just a few organizations are recruiting, the employment market for structural steel fitters in the United States is rather active.
In the United States, most structural steel fitters earn between $36,500 and $47,000 a year.
Steel Erectors
Steel erectors put up the skeletons of buildings and other structures out of metal by welding together girders, pipelines, and beams. As a steel erector, you would follow the painstakingly created designs of architects and engineers.
Construction, installation, repair, and maintenance are all common tasks for steel erectors.
To put it simply, a steel erector’s job is putting up structures like scaffolding and panels.
On each project, the worker specialist in steel erection works closely with the supervisor and engineers. It is typical to work on constructions and buildings with several floors and at tremendous heights.
Most Steel Erectors employees earn around $67000 on average in the United States of America.
Structural Installers
A structural installer is a sort of metalworker that specializes in constructing building components for a wide range of construction projects, such as container ships and towering towers.
You are tasked with and responsible for a variety of activities and responsibilities, including the planning and assembly of the components that comprise a structure.
Welding the parts together or using additional equipment like jack bars, turnbuckles, hammers, or grinders can help achieve exact alignment.
Jobs as an Instructor
If you want to find the highest-paying employment, you have to be ready to think outside the box.
A teacher in the steel and iron ore sector teaches people who want to learn about the industry’s functioning principles.
These groups of teachers can work independently and are frequently employed by steel and iron ore businesses to train newly hired staff about the steel and iron ore industries.
The Manager of Operations
If you were to take a position as the manager of operations at a steel or iron ore factory, one of your primary responsibilities would be to oversee the facility’s day-to-day business operations.
This would include things like organizing production, supervising staff, and ensuring that all safety standards are satisfied.
This can be the perfect job for you if you are skilled at managing teams of people and staying on top of things to keep them organized.
Maintenance Supervisors
A Maintenance Supervisor is a person in charge of organizing the installation, maintenance, and repair of large complexes and individual structures.
They manage teams of employees that carry out duties according to project requirements.
One of your principal tasks as the maintenance manager at a steel or iron ore facility would be to ensure that all machinery and equipment are in good working condition.
A maintenance manager earns an average yearly compensation of $82,000, making it one of the highest-paying occupations in steel/iron ore.
Plant Supervisor
Factory supervisors are responsible for ensuring that everything operates well in a plant. This involves managing personnel, accomplishing goals, and ensuring excellent quality.
If you enjoy working in a factory and have a solid business sense, a position as a plant supervisor may be appropriate for you.
If you were in charge of plant supervision at a steel or iron ore factory, it would be up to you to oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility.
Things like coordinating production, creating safe work practices, and overseeing staff fall under this category.
The steel and iron ore sectors each give a salary of $74,000 to the plant superintendent of each facility, making it one of the top-paid occupations in Steel/Iron ore.
Fabricator
Fabricators make metal parts for goods, machinery, and equipment. They cut, bend, shape, and file metal components to satisfy project engineering criteria. They choose the proper equipment, such as shears, drills, cutters, and soldering irons, measure completed things, inspect metal components for quality and uniformity, and prepare pieces for shipping.
The compensation for the role of Fabricator is around $58,000 on average.
Millwright
A millwright is a person who works with industrial machinery at a factory or on a building site. Industrial machinery, equipment, and tools are transported, assembled, set up, installed, and repaired by these professionals. Schematic and blueprint analysis, site preparation, component preparation, filing down pieces to fit into specialized machines, and defect replacement are all part of their remit.
The median annual income for a Millwright is $56,000.
Sheet Metal Mechanic
Sheet metal mechanics earn an average of $64,000 per year.
Sheet metal mechanics are responsible for the fabrication and installation of roofing, drainage pipes, air conditioning, and ventilation ductwork. Sheet metal is formed based on precise measurements taken from designs of the region. Sheet metal mechanics are responsible for all aspects of the fabrication and assembly of sheet metal products.
CNC Machinist
The typical income of a CNC machinist is $67,000 per year.
A computer numerical control (CNC) machinist operates CNC machines in factories to fabricate various items, often out of metal. CNC machinists are responsible for following assembly instructions, loading metal materials into the CNC machine, welding sections together, inspecting final goods for quality, and testing the durability of their products. After a production run is finished, it is the responsibility of the CNC machinist to unload the raw materials and perform any necessary maintenance on the CNC machine.
CNC Programmer
The average annual compensation for a CNC programmer is $65,000.
A computer numerical control (CNC) programmer creates programs for CNC machines used in the automated processing of raw materials like metal sheets. CNC programmers read blueprints and write code to process raw materials and create the required quantity of finished goods. They choose the appropriate hardware, construct a library of code to be used in the development of their programs, and input their designs into the CNC modeling software.
What Companies Are In The Steel/Iron Ore Field?
There are many businesses out there that deal with steel/iron ore, and some of them include:
- Glencore
- ArcelorMittal
- POSCO
- Vale
- Rio Tinto
- China Baowu Steel Group
- BHP Billiton
- JFE Holdings
- Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
These are only some of the most important corporations in the market; in addition to them, there are a great number of other, more modest businesses that compete in this area. Therefore, if you are interested in pursuing a career in the steel or iron ore industry, you will have a wide variety of possibilities to select from.
Conclusion
Those who are interested in pursuing a career in steel/iron core may take advantage of the fact that it is now enjoying significant growth by submitting their resumes for consideration to one of the numerous high-paying positions that are currently available.
Since we have discussed some of the vocations that have the potential to offer the greatest salaries in this industry, you will need to perform sufficient study before deciding on a certain route to take in your professional life.
If you discover the proper job for yourself in this fast-paced field, you have the opportunity to have a long career filled with accomplishments and to do so successfully.
I hope the information in this post was able to satisfy your curiosity.