The work aims to measure the thrust induced on the iron-based material by continuous-wave (CW) fiber laser via analyzing cantilever vibration. The target was scanned by 1500 W galvanometer-type fiber laser in a single track along the width direction of the specimen with certain laser process parameters. The vibration of the ribbons was monitored by a three-dimensional dynamic analysis microsystem. Based on theoretical analysis of cantilever vibration under CW fiber laser thrust, a physical model of thrust on iron-based materials was constituted and accuracy of the theoretical formula was verified by experiments. Finally, the relationship between thrust, laser parameters and target material was studied. For the system of different cantilever lengths, when the laser power was 900 W and the scanning speed was 3 m/s, the average thrust of the steel plate was 2.43 mN. Thus, the results of the physical model showed good repeatability. The thrust was determined by the target characteristics and laser process parameters. When the target was not broken down and the laser power was from 300 W to 1500 W, the thrust of the steel plate increased from 0.41 mN to 12.32 mN. When the scanning speed decreased from 4 m/s to 1 m/s, the thrust of the steel plate was 8.69 mN to 15.67 mN, and the powder with small particle size was more likely to be driven by vaporization, generating larger thrust. The acceleration of powder particles due to thrust was several times higher than that of gravity, and the movement of powder particles in larger size was less affected by laser thrust. The thrust measured via cantilever vibration is relatively accurate and reasonable planning of laser process parameters and powder particle size can reduce the impact of thrust, thus providing certain theoretical basis for the measurement and application of laser thrust on powder in the process of laser cladding.