Find a Job You Really Want In
Yes, steel/iron ore is a great career path. Steel and iron ore are critical materials in manufacturing, making this industry one that has long-lasting appeal and a lot of job openings. Working in steel and iron ore can be a very difficult job with some physical requirements, especially for those in entry-level positions, but it is possible to work your way up into management positions or higher.
If this sounds good to you, the following list of jobs will give you an idea of what professions are out there in the steel and iron ore field.
The 5 Best-Paying Jobs in Steel/Iron Ore
Iron ore is an essential component in the steel industry, and together, both metals are important parts of manufacturing in the United States and around the globe. A lot of jobs in the mining industry involve physical labor but there are some jobs that are supervisory or require scientific knowledge. It’s these jobs that earn the highest incomes.
Check out these top-paying jobs in the steel/iron ore business.
-
Average Annual Salary: $45,000
As with many professions, when you get into a position of management or achieve a supervisor title, you often see your pay rise considerably as well. That’s definitely the case with the mine supervisor job. With this title, you’ll be responsible for mining and quarrying operations and overseeing all of your staff.
-
Average Annual Salary: $83,000
The metallurgical engineers in a mining operation are involved in the processing of mined minerals to turn them into the finished product. They may also be asked to oversee extraction to make sure the process is done in the best way possible to ensure a good final result.
-
Average Annual Salary: $99,000
A senior field engineer in the mining business is responsible for all aspects of operations in the field. You may also find in this position that you’ll be involved in planning in the very early stages all the way through to delivery and beyond. There will be a lot of other field engineers to help oversee the process, and you’ll also have to manage these people.
-
Average Annual Salary: $83,000
This job will require education with at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. You’ll also be expected to know how to use the tools of your industry, which include a lot of software programs and structural drawing programs. You’ll test 3D models and perform other tests to ensure the integrity of buildings.
-
Mining Geologist
Average Annual Salary: N/A
The mining geologist is tasked with more than just evaluating the quality of the iron ore that’s produced, although that’s a big part of their job.
If you’re in this job, you’ll also have to evaluate the impact that your business is causing on the local environment and come up with ways to minimize the negative impact. It’s a big job, and that’s why it comes with a big paycheck.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Steel/Iron Ore
One of the best things about the steel/iron ore business is that it’s very welcoming to entry-level workers who want to get their foot in the door right away and start earning money. So if you have drive and ambition, you can turn one of these entry-level jobs into a stepping stone to a great career.
If you’re not looking for a life-long job but would rather have some quick cash and something to do, this is also a great place to start.
-
Oil Field Frac Operator
Average Annual Salary: N/A
After some on-the-job training, an entry-level oil field frac operator will be able to repair and perform operation procedures on equipment and tools necessary for oil field operations. You’ll also have to do some equipment inspections and fill out the appropriate paperwork. There is a lot of work where you’ll be assisting, but that’s a great way to learn the business.
-
Average Annual Salary: $44,000
Entry-level miners will work underground in a mine. Their day-to-day job will include digging, loading, and transporting iron ore and other materials. Often large equipment and machinery are used to do the work, so there is a learning curve as you master the machines.
-
Floorhand on a Drilling Rig
Average Annual Salary: N/A
If you’re willing to work on a drilling rig, you could be hired as an entry-level floorhand. The floorhand has a lot of physical labor tasks on the rig and can assist the derrickhand, motorhand, and driller. The great part of this job is you get to learn how to do some of the other positions in case you want to move up one day.
-
Diamond Driller Helper
Average Annual Salary: N/A
This job is about helping the driller, which means assisting in moving and setting a drill, setting casing, mixing drill mud, handling equipment, and cleaning up. There are other duties that fall under this job title, and you might find that others will rely on you to help out too.
-
Average Annual Salary: $58,000
When you think of someone who owns a commercial driver’s license (CDL), do you think of semi-truck drivers? This license opens up a lot of career possibilities, including working in the steel or iron ore industry. You will often be driving and moving equipment as well as mined ore.
-
Average Annual Salary: $39,000
Start your career in the iron ore or steel business as a wireline operator, and you’ll learn all about rig up/down pressure control equipment, you’ll prepare wireline tool strings, and you have to perform basic maintenance on wireline tools. You’ll need to support the crew leader and help with troubleshooting.
-
Average Annual Salary: $45,000
The rig hand is also sometimes called a roughneck, and your main duties will revolve around maintaining the drilling rig and the equipment on the rig. This job is a general maintenance one, and each rig hand is assigned their own area to maintain and work in, so the duties will vary.
-
Average Annual Salary: $28,000
As a field hand, you are typically responsible for maintaining and managing the water transfer process. You will help rig up and down operations, work under the supervision of management, and watch water levels to avoid overflow and waterfalls. There may be other duties that the field hand is trained to perform as necessary.
-
Swab Rig Hand
Average Annual Salary: N/A
The swab rig hand is a physically demanding job that requires great attention to safety. You’ll need to be able to take direction and learn quickly. Your job will involve moving equipment and other tools regularly and doing a lot of cleaning up.
-
Mine Production Technician
Average Annual Salary: N/A
This job involves you working with your team providing labor for machine operations, operating haul trucks, and possibly other heavy equipment. Being alert and prepared to move quickly can be a great asset, and being physically strong is a necessity.
Why Choose a Career in Steel/Iron Ore
The building business is booming, especially in urban areas, and that means there is a need for lots and lots of steel, which also means iron ore is essential. Because there is great demand, there will be a lot of jobs open, and it will continue to be a good field to be in if job security is important to you. There might even be an increase in pay across the board as demand increases.
Working in this industry also brings a lot of other benefits that will make it clear why you should pursue a career in steel/iron ore.
-
Job security. Because the building industry is not going to go away anytime soon, there is a lot of security for people working in the iron ore and steel industry. It doesn’t matter what your job is in this field; you’re going to be needed.
-
Opportunity for advancement. If you’re interested in moving up in the company, the best thing you can do is get your foot in the door and learn all that you can. There will be a lot of opportunities to learn, and with that, you might get promoted.
-
Easy entry. If you need a job and you need it right now, then head on over to an iron ore mine or steel company; they’re likely hiring. Many of the entry-level jobs in this industry require physical strength, which means that there can be a lot of turnovers, especially as workers age.
-
It’s a workout. If you like working hard and being physical, then this is a great way to exert that energy and keep your body in tip-top condition.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Steel or Iron Ore
Many of the jobs in steel/iron ore are entry-level jobs that require you to either have a lot of muscle or the willingness to learn how to clean and maintain equipment. This means that having an advanced education or certifications isn’t as important as it is in some fields, but you might want to get some if you hope to move up the corporate ladder.
-
High school or GED. The first step is getting your high school degree or a GED. This isn’t necessarily required, but it can help you get a job, as many people consider this a prerequisite to any job.
-
On-the-job training. The training you get in regard to your specific job and the company you work for is going to be the most valuable training for any position in the steel/iron ore sector. It’s not only about how to do your job but how to do it safely.
-
Associates or tech certifications. If you want to move up, you might want to get an associate’s degree in engineering, geology, physics, or another related field. This can help you begin to move up the ladder and end up in an office job earning top dollar.
-
Bachelor’s degree. If you’re looking to get into corporate headquarters and management, then you’re going to need a bachelor’s degree. If this is the direction you want to head in, then getting a degree should be your first stop so you can start your career in the corporate arena.
What Do People Working in Steel/Iron Ore Do?
People working in steel/iron ore extract and process metals to fabricate metal objects. There is currently a huge boom in urban areas, which means that the iron ore and steel businesses are exploding. This is a great time to get into the business, especially if you’re looking for an entry-level job that requires physical strength more than school credits.
It’s important to know that this job does have some corporate level and office jobs, but the majority of the jobs in the iron ore and steel business are for people working in mines, on rigs, and in the field.
Customizing your skills to the career you want should start early in your on-the-job training so you can move into the job you really want to do. That can make your career in the iron ore or steel profession even more rewarding.
Author
Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.
