Wages
Ironworker Pay in the US in 2026: Wages by State and Metro Area
Updated November 1, 2026
In the United States, the median wage for Structural Iron and Steel Workers (SOC 47-2221) is $30.18 an hour (BLS, data from May 2025). Pay depends on the state and the metro area. The tables below give hourly and yearly wages for each state with a BLS figure, and hourly wages for large metro areas.
What do ironworkers earn in the US?
The first two tables give the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wages for structural iron and steel workers across the United States. They give the wages by the hour and by the year. Half of the workers in the occupation earn more than the median, and half earn less.
Sources6
Ironworker wages across the United States
Yearly ironworker pay across the United States
Which workers do these BLS figures cover?
The BLS tables on this page cover one occupation: structural iron and steel workers (SOC 47-2221). The list below gives its BLS definition and says where BLS counts apprentices.
Sources5
BLS occupation definitions
- BLS defines structural iron and steel workers (SOC 47-2221) as workers who raise, place and unite iron or steel girders, columns and other structural members. This occupation excludes reinforcing iron and rebar workers (SOC 47-2171).[5]
- BLS counts apprentices in their trade's occupation, here structural iron and steel workers (SOC 47-2221), not with helpers.[5]
Which states pay ironworkers the most?
In the state table, Massachusetts has the highest median, and Arkansas has the lowest. The table also gives the 10th and 90th percentiles for each state with a figure, beside the median. The yearly table after it gives the same states in yearly pay.
Sources6
Ironworker wages by state
Structural Iron and Steel Workers (SOC 47-2221) · Hourly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $19.55[6] | $27.23[6] | $32.55[6] |
| Alaska | $31.73[6] | $37.01[6] | $48.07[6] |
| Arizona | $22.34[6] | $28.55[6] | $44.36[6] |
| Arkansas | $15.59[6] | $21.88[6] | $29.55[6] |
| California | $22.83[6] | $36.72[6] | $56.75[6] |
| Colorado | $21.57[6] | $28.28[6] | $39.97[6] |
| Connecticut | $22.99[6] | $30.00[6] | $47.00[6] |
| Delaware | $24.04[6] | $28.76[6] | $34.80[6] |
| District of Columbia | $27.95[6] | $29.44[6] | $44.74[6] |
| Florida | $18.25[6] | $26.78[6] | $35.23[6] |
| Georgia | $18.45[6] | $23.12[6] | $33.98[6] |
| Hawaii | $25.95[6] | $48.01[6] | $58.50[6] |
| Idaho | $23.93[6] | $34.98[6] | $38.53[6] |
| Illinois | $31.17[6] | $48.97[6] | $59.83[6] |
| Indiana | $21.98[6] | $33.72[6] | $47.52[6] |
| Iowa | $28.42[6] | $37.21[6] | $39.06[6] |
| Kansas | $21.53[6] | $28.15[6] | $38.38[6] |
| Kentucky | $23.19[6] | $30.80[6] | $47.29[6] |
| Louisiana | $18.81[6] | $33.09[6] | $38.73[6] |
| Maine | $21.95[6] | $29.69[6] | $41.75[6] |
| Maryland | $22.98[6] | $34.49[6] | $39.50[6] |
| Massachusetts | $39.79[6] | $58.10[6] | $61.58[6] |
| Michigan | $19.84[6] | $30.21[6] | $38.05[6] |
| Minnesota | $38.47[6] | $45.83[6] | $47.60[6] |
| Mississippi | $14.76[6] | $24.37[6] | $35.83[6] |
| Missouri | $23.39[6] | $37.22[6] | $42.96[6] |
| Montana | $23.02[6] | $32.40[6] | $36.39[6] |
| Nebraska | $23.15[6] | $31.48[6] | $38.00[6] |
| Nevada | $22.39[6] | $30.05[6] | $49.89[6] |
| New Hampshire | $23.32[6] | $28.81[6] | $35.33[6] |
| New Jersey | $45.19[6] | $54.43[6] | $62.84[6] |
| New Mexico | No published figure | No published figure | No published figure |
| New York | $28.44[6] | $44.52[6] | $62.10[6] |
| North Carolina | $17.68[6] | $23.43[6] | $38.04[6] |
| North Dakota | $27.60[6] | $39.48[6] | $48.00[6] |
| Ohio | $23.00[6] | $35.92[6] | $42.72[6] |
| Oklahoma | $18.17[6] | $22.92[6] | $30.61[6] |
| Oregon | $25.30[6] | $46.18[6] | $58.11[6] |
| Pennsylvania | $24.79[6] | $39.89[6] | $53.21[6] |
| Rhode Island | $31.49[6] | $47.27[6] | $47.27[6] |
| South Carolina | $16.77[6] | $24.40[6] | $32.09[6] |
| South Dakota | $21.82[6] | $27.43[6] | $35.96[6] |
| Tennessee | $21.39[6] | $27.29[6] | $35.91[6] |
| Texas | $20.27[6] | $25.12[6] | $37.27[6] |
| Utah | $19.32[6] | $28.01[6] | $36.16[6] |
| Vermont | $22.33[6] | $26.75[6] | $40.21[6] |
| Virginia | $22.61[6] | $28.97[6] | $35.53[6] |
| Washington | $25.58[6] | $51.76[6] | $62.01[6] |
| West Virginia | $24.34[6] | $34.54[6] | $38.56[6] |
| Wisconsin | $27.96[6] | $44.63[6] | $48.16[6] |
| Wyoming | $19.21[6] | $22.83[6] | $29.24[6] |
Yearly ironworker pay by state
Structural Iron and Steel Workers (SOC 47-2221) · Yearly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,640[6] | $67,700[6] |
| Alaska | $76,970[6] | $99,980[6] |
| Arizona | $59,390[6] | $92,270[6] |
| Arkansas | $45,510[6] | $61,460[6] |
| California | $76,370[6] | $118,030[6] |
| Colorado | $58,830[6] | $83,150[6] |
| Connecticut | $62,400[6] | $97,760[6] |
| Delaware | $59,820[6] | $72,370[6] |
| District of Columbia | $61,240[6] | $93,070[6] |
| Florida | $55,700[6] | $73,280[6] |
| Georgia | $48,090[6] | $70,680[6] |
| Hawaii | $99,860[6] | $121,680[6] |
| Idaho | $72,750[6] | $80,140[6] |
| Illinois | $101,850[6] | $124,450[6] |
| Indiana | $70,130[6] | $98,840[6] |
| Iowa | $77,400[6] | $81,240[6] |
| Kansas | $58,560[6] | $79,820[6] |
| Kentucky | $64,060[6] | $98,360[6] |
| Louisiana | $68,830[6] | $80,560[6] |
| Maine | $61,750[6] | $86,840[6] |
| Maryland | $71,730[6] | $82,160[6] |
| Massachusetts | $120,840[6] | $128,080[6] |
| Michigan | $62,830[6] | $79,150[6] |
| Minnesota | $95,320[6] | $99,010[6] |
| Mississippi | $50,690[6] | $74,520[6] |
| Missouri | $77,410[6] | $89,350[6] |
| Montana | $67,390[6] | $75,690[6] |
| Nebraska | $65,470[6] | $79,040[6] |
| Nevada | $62,510[6] | $103,770[6] |
| New Hampshire | $59,920[6] | $73,480[6] |
| New Jersey | $113,220[6] | $130,710[6] |
| New Mexico | No published figure | No published figure |
| New York | $92,610[6] | $129,180[6] |
| North Carolina | $48,740[6] | $79,130[6] |
| North Dakota | $82,120[6] | $99,840[6] |
| Ohio | $74,710[6] | $88,860[6] |
| Oklahoma | $47,660[6] | $63,670[6] |
| Oregon | $96,050[6] | $120,860[6] |
| Pennsylvania | $82,970[6] | $110,680[6] |
| Rhode Island | $98,320[6] | $98,330[6] |
| South Carolina | $50,750[6] | $66,750[6] |
| South Dakota | $57,050[6] | $74,800[6] |
| Tennessee | $56,750[6] | $74,700[6] |
| Texas | $52,240[6] | $77,520[6] |
| Utah | $58,250[6] | $75,200[6] |
| Vermont | $55,640[6] | $83,630[6] |
| Virginia | $60,260[6] | $73,890[6] |
| Washington | $107,660[6] | $128,970[6] |
| West Virginia | $71,850[6] | $80,200[6] |
| Wisconsin | $92,820[6] | $100,160[6] |
| Wyoming | $47,480[6] | $60,820[6] |
Which metro areas pay ironworkers the most?
The metro table covers the 50 largest metro areas, by total jobs. It lists, by name, each of them that has a BLS figure for structural iron and steel workers. Among them, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has the highest median, and San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR has the lowest. If your metro area is not in the table, use your state in the state table, which lists the 50 states and DC.
Sources6
Ironworker wages in large metro areas
Structural Iron and Steel Workers (SOC 47-2221) · Hourly, US dollars · Data from May 2025
| Place | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $18.66[6] | $23.12[6] | $35.74[6] |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $22.41[6] | $28.84[6] | $37.29[6] |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $22.94[6] | $34.23[6] | $38.12[6] |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $38.94[6] | $58.10[6] | $61.83[6] |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $23.08[6] | $36.74[6] | $52.09[6] |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $18.90[6] | $23.22[6] | $30.54[6] |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $31.07[6] | $49.21[6] | $59.87[6] |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $23.27[6] | $36.39[6] | $42.48[6] |
| Cleveland, OH | $23.00[6] | $36.57[6] | $41.77[6] |
| Columbus, OH | $24.50[6] | $36.98[6] | $63.78[6] |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $21.93[6] | $25.77[6] | $37.27[6] |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $23.97[6] | $28.88[6] | $40.11[6] |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $19.84[6] | $30.23[6] | $38.05[6] |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $22.62[6] | $31.37[6] | $36.53[6] |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $24.14[6] | $31.18[6] | $45.91[6] |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $21.69[6] | $27.90[6] | $37.59[6] |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $22.27[6] | $33.72[6] | $46.93[6] |
| Jacksonville, FL | $19.18[6] | $23.50[6] | $32.22[6] |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $23.29[6] | $37.30[6] | $41.59[6] |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $20.83[6] | $30.05[6] | $49.11[6] |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $22.59[6] | $37.52[6] | $52.98[6] |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $24.71[6] | $33.31[6] | $42.33[6] |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $17.47[6] | $24.23[6] | $34.20[6] |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $19.66[6] | $28.98[6] | $37.05[6] |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $28.81[6] | $46.02[6] | $47.85[6] |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39.32[6] | $47.03[6] | $47.67[6] |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $23.06[6] | $29.75[6] | $36.37[6] |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $30.54[6] | $49.07[6] | $62.81[6] |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $19.28[6] | $22.76[6] | $31.58[6] |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $17.62[6] | $23.27[6] | $35.23[6] |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $25.36[6] | $49.68[6] | $58.38[6] |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $23.07[6] | $28.63[6] | $44.36[6] |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $27.08[6] | $39.84[6] | $51.03[6] |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $29.96[6] | $47.17[6] | $59.48[6] |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $38.47[6] | $47.27[6] | $59.67[6] |
| Richmond, VA | $22.67[6] | $28.97[6] | $33.83[6] |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $22.73[6] | $34.99[6] | $50.75[6] |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $25.02[6] | $37.39[6] | $53.67[6] |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $21.43[6] | $29.13[6] | $36.74[6] |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $19.51[6] | $24.10[6] | $34.27[6] |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $23.72[6] | $36.73[6] | $53.05[6] |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $27.35[6] | $41.99[6] | $59.84[6] |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $27.10[6] | $52.62[6] | $62.79[6] |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $12.85[6] | $15.14[6] | $17.25[6] |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $26.31[6] | $53.58[6] | $62.26[6] |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $24.22[6] | $39.25[6] | $47.10[6] |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $19.07[6] | $23.42[6] | $32.95[6] |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $22.87[6] | $28.19[6] | $35.70[6] |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $24.39[6] | $32.85[6] | $41.04[6] |
How much do apprentice ironworkers earn?
Public-works schedules set a rate for each apprentice step. The list below gives the New York City rates for each step of the structural and the ornamental iron worker apprenticeships, with their supplemental benefits.
Sources3
New York City iron worker apprentice prevailing wages, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
- Structural iron worker apprentice in New York City, first 6 months: $30.87 an hour plus $65.75 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[3]
- Structural iron worker apprentice in New York City, months 7 to 18: $31.47 an hour plus $65.75 in supplemental benefits.[3]
- Structural iron worker apprentice in New York City, months 19 to 36: $32.08 an hour plus $65.75 in supplemental benefits.[3]
- First-year ornamental iron worker apprentice in New York City: $25.98 an hour plus $15.99 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[3]
- Second-year ornamental iron worker apprentice in New York City: $28.45 an hour plus $17.99 in supplemental benefits.[3]
- Third-year ornamental iron worker apprentice in New York City: $30.80 an hour plus $18.99 in supplemental benefits.[3]
- Fourth-year ornamental iron worker apprentice in New York City: $34.39 an hour plus $20.99 in supplemental benefits.[3]
Prevailing wage rates compared with the median
On public works, state and city rules set a rate for each trade. The list below gives the iron worker rates for Cook County, Illinois, and New York City, with their overtime rules. To compare a rate with the BLS median, find the metro area in the metro table. Keep two points in mind. Each public-works rate is for one classification, and the BLS median covers all structural iron and steel workers in the area. The public-works schedules are dated 2026, and the BLS medians are for May 2025.
Published prevailing wage rates for iron workers
- Cook County, Illinois prevailing wage for an iron worker: $64.19 an hour base and $67.69 for a foreman, posted October 19, 2026.[1]
- Cook County, Illinois prevailing wage for an ornamental iron worker: $61.36 an hour base and $65.36 for a foreman, posted October 19, 2026.[1]
- In Cook County, Illinois, prevailing wage overtime for iron workers and ornamental iron workers is 2.0 times the base wage after 8 hours on a weekday and for every hour on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.[1]
- New York City prevailing wage for a structural iron worker: $59.45 an hour plus $94.63 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[2]
- New York City prevailing wage for an ornamental iron worker: $48.65 an hour plus $69.29 in supplemental benefits, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.[2]
- On New York City public works, structural and ornamental iron workers get time and a half for the 9th and 10th hours on a weekday and for the first 8 hours on Saturday. Later hours on those days, and all Sunday work, are paid at double time.[2]
Do union construction workers earn more?
The list below gives BLS median weekly earnings for union members and non-union workers in 2025. The figures cover all construction and extraction occupations together, not ironworkers alone. The gap mixes many trades and regions, so use it as a general sign, not as the raise you would get in your trade.
Sources4
Weekly earnings by union membership in construction and extraction
- In 2025, full-time workers in construction and extraction occupations had median weekly earnings of $1,561 as union members and $1,004 as non-union workers. These are averages of 11 months, because BLS did not collect October 2025 data during the federal government shutdown.[4]
Before you move for ironwork
Check these points before you take a job in another state.
- Compare the metro median in the metro table, not only the state figure.
- Ask whether the job is on a public-works or union contract. The prevailing-wage list above gives rates for two places.
- Ask which classification the job falls under. Cook County and New York City list ornamental iron work as its own classification, with its own rate.
- Ask whether a quoted rate is base pay or a total package. New York City rates add supplemental benefits on top of the wage.
- Ask how overtime is paid. The prevailing-wage list above gives the Cook County and New York City rules.
- If you are an apprentice, ask which step you start in. The New York City list above gives a rate for each step.
How to read these figures
BLS gives percentiles for each place. The 10th percentile is the wage that 10 percent of structural iron and steel workers earn less than. The 90th percentile is the wage that 10 percent earn more than. All figures in the BLS wage tables are for May 2025. A cell that says No published figure has no BLS figure for that place.
Questions and answers
How much does an ironworker make a year?
The yearly table gives the national figures. The yearly state table gives the median and the 90th percentile for each state with a figure.
How much does an ironworker make in California?
California is in the state table. For a California city, look for its metro area in the metro table.
How much does an ironworker make in Texas?
Texas is in the state table. For a Texas city, look for its metro area in the metro table.
How much does an ironworker make in New York?
New York is in the state table. For New York City, find the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ row in the metro table. The prevailing-wage list gives New York City public-works rates.
Can Werko match me with a US ironworker job?
No. Werko matches trades workers in Canada now. You can join the US waitlist on this page.
Sources
- Cook County Prevailing Wage Rates posted on 10/19/2026
Illinois Department of Labor. Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Construction Worker Prevailing Wage Schedule, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Office of the Comptroller, City of New York (Bureau of Labor Law). Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Construction Apprentice Prevailing Wage Schedule, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Office of the Comptroller, City of New York (Bureau of Labor Law). Retrieved October 31, 2026
- Table 4. Median weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers by union affiliation, occupation, and industry, 2024-2025 annual averages
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 30, 2026
- 2018 Standard Occupational Classification System, major groups and definitions
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 31, 2026
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 31, 2026