Ironworker salary
BLS occupation: Structural Iron and Steel Workers · Construction · data for May 2025
Median salary $62,780 a year, US
Median hourly pay $30.18 an hour
Middle half earn $49,880–$82,660 25th to 75th percentile
Ironworkers employed 68,380 +3.1% projected by 2035
How much does an ironworker make?
- The median ironworker salary in the US is $62,780 a year ($30.18 an hour): half of the 68,380 ironworkers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $70,280.
- The middle half earn between $49,880 and $82,660. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $44,580 and the top 10% more than $108,260.
- That is 23% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Massachusetts pays ironworkers the most (median $120,840), followed by New Jersey ($113,220) and Washington ($107,660). Arkansas pays the least ($45,510).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Massachusetts, where the median is worth $114,262 in typical US prices, then New Jersey and Illinois.
- In 81 of the 160 metro areas with data, the median ironworker salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of ironworkers to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 5,900 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what ironworkers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Ironworker salary range
Half of ironworkers earn between $49,880 and $82,660 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $44,580
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $49,880
Median Yearly pay: $62,780
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $82,660
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $108,260
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $44,580 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $49,880 |
| Median | $62,780 |
| Top 25% earn over | $82,660 |
| Top 10% earn over | $108,260 |
Ironworker salary by state
Massachusetts pays ironworkers the most; Arkansas the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($62,780), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,840 median |
| New Jersey | $113,220 median |
| Washington | $107,660 median |
| Illinois | $101,850 median |
| Hawaii | $99,860 median |
| Rhode Island | $98,320 median |
| Oregon | $96,050 median |
| Minnesota | $95,320 median |
| Wisconsin | $92,820 median |
| New York | $92,610 median |
| Pennsylvania | $82,970 median |
| North Dakota | $82,120 median |
| Missouri | $77,410 median |
| Iowa | $77,400 median |
| Alaska | $76,970 median |
| California | $76,370 median |
| Ohio | $74,710 median |
| Idaho | $72,750 median |
| West Virginia | $71,850 median |
| Maryland | $71,730 median |
| Indiana | $70,130 median |
| Louisiana | $68,830 median |
| Montana | $67,390 median |
| Nebraska | $65,470 median |
| Kentucky | $64,060 median |
| Michigan | $62,830 median |
| Nevada | $62,510 median |
| Connecticut | $62,400 median |
| Maine | $61,750 median |
| District of Columbia | $61,240 median |
| Virginia | $60,260 median |
| New Hampshire | $59,920 median |
| Delaware | $59,820 median |
| Arizona | $59,390 median |
| Colorado | $58,830 median |
| Kansas | $58,560 median |
| Utah | $58,250 median |
| South Dakota | $57,050 median |
| Tennessee | $56,750 median |
| Alabama | $56,640 median |
| Florida | $55,700 median |
| Vermont | $55,640 median |
| Texas | $52,240 median |
| South Carolina | $50,750 median |
| Mississippi | $50,690 median |
| North Carolina | $48,740 median |
| Georgia | $48,090 median |
| Oklahoma | $47,660 median |
| Wyoming | $47,480 median |
| Arkansas | $45,510 median |
Where ironworker pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Ironworkers' pay goes furthest in Massachusetts once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $114,262 |
| New Jersey | $104,058 |
| Illinois | $101,893 |
| Washington | $100,605 |
| Wisconsin | $98,645 |
| Minnesota | $96,653 |
| Rhode Island | $96,128 |
| Oregon | $92,927 |
| North Dakota | $92,312 |
| Hawaii | $90,822 |
Ironworker pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,840 | $58.10 | $82,760 | $128,080 | 2,050 | $114,262 |
| New Jersey | $113,220 | $54.43 | $94,000 | $130,710 | 1,060 | $104,058 |
| Washington | $107,660 | $51.76 | $53,210 | $128,970 | 850 | $100,605 |
| Illinois | $101,850 | $48.97 | $64,830 | $124,450 | 2,740 | $101,893 |
| Hawaii | $99,860 | $48.01 | $53,970 | $121,680 | 290 | $90,822 |
| Rhode Island | $98,320 | $47.27 | $65,500 | $98,330 | 360 | $96,128 |
| Oregon | $96,050 | $46.18 | $52,630 | $120,860 | 570 | $92,927 |
| Minnesota | $95,320 | $45.83 | $80,030 | $99,010 | 910 | $96,653 |
| Wisconsin | $92,820 | $44.63 | $58,150 | $100,160 | 710 | $98,645 |
| New York | $92,610 | $44.52 | $59,140 | $129,180 | 2,700 | $85,813 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,970 | $39.89 | $51,550 | $110,680 | 1,610 | $85,035 |
| North Dakota | $82,120 | $39.48 | $57,410 | $99,840 | 270 | $92,312 |
| Missouri | $77,410 | $37.22 | $48,650 | $89,350 | 1,320 | $85,237 |
| Iowa | $77,400 | $37.21 | $59,120 | $81,240 | – | $88,193 |
| Alaska | $76,970 | $37.00 | $65,990 | $99,980 | 120 | $75,196 |
| California | $76,370 | $36.72 | $47,480 | $118,030 | 7,110 | $68,976 |
| Ohio | $74,710 | $35.92 | $47,840 | $88,860 | 2,290 | $80,529 |
| Idaho | $72,750 | $34.98 | $49,780 | $80,140 | 500 | $76,183 |
| West Virginia | $71,850 | $34.54 | $50,620 | $80,200 | 150 | $80,282 |
| Maryland | $71,730 | $34.49 | $47,790 | $82,160 | 710 | $68,341 |
| Indiana | $70,130 | $33.72 | $45,720 | $98,840 | 2,750 | $75,143 |
| Louisiana | $68,830 | $33.09 | $39,130 | $80,560 | 1,180 | $78,032 |
| Montana | $67,390 | $32.40 | $47,880 | $75,690 | 130 | $71,203 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | $31.48 | $48,160 | $79,040 | 610 | $72,661 |
| Kentucky | $64,060 | $30.80 | $48,240 | $98,360 | 990 | $71,052 |
| Michigan | $62,830 | $30.21 | $41,260 | $79,150 | 1,750 | $65,300 |
| Nevada | $62,510 | $30.05 | $46,560 | $103,770 | 1,400 | $62,523 |
| Connecticut | $62,400 | $30.00 | $47,810 | $97,760 | 330 | $60,226 |
| Maine | $61,750 | $29.69 | $45,660 | $86,840 | 200 | $63,627 |
| District of Columbia | $61,240 | $29.44 | $58,130 | $93,070 | 210 | $55,723 |
| Virginia | $60,260 | $28.97 | $47,040 | $73,890 | 2,300 | $59,602 |
| New Hampshire | $59,920 | $28.81 | $48,500 | $73,480 | 220 | $57,524 |
| Delaware | $59,820 | $28.76 | $50,000 | $72,370 | 90 | $59,935 |
| Arizona | $59,390 | $28.55 | $46,470 | $92,270 | 3,980 | $58,991 |
| Colorado | $58,830 | $28.28 | $44,870 | $83,150 | 860 | $57,088 |
| Kansas | $58,560 | $28.15 | $44,770 | $79,820 | 260 | $65,018 |
| Utah | $58,250 | $28.00 | $40,190 | $75,200 | 1,630 | $58,919 |
| South Dakota | $57,050 | $27.43 | $45,380 | $74,800 | 440 | $64,401 |
| Tennessee | $56,750 | $27.28 | $44,500 | $74,700 | 1,240 | $61,772 |
| Alabama | $56,640 | $27.23 | $40,660 | $67,700 | 1,740 | $63,767 |
| Florida | $55,700 | $26.78 | $37,950 | $73,280 | 2,730 | $53,861 |
| Vermont | $55,640 | $26.75 | $46,450 | $83,630 | 50 | $56,800 |
| Texas | $52,240 | $25.12 | $42,160 | $77,520 | 9,700 | $53,824 |
| South Carolina | $50,750 | $24.40 | $34,890 | $66,750 | 660 | $54,134 |
| Mississippi | $50,690 | $24.37 | $30,700 | $74,520 | 480 | $58,296 |
| North Carolina | $48,740 | $23.43 | $36,780 | $79,130 | 2,000 | $51,672 |
| Georgia | $48,090 | $23.12 | $38,370 | $70,680 | 980 | $49,941 |
| Oklahoma | $47,660 | $22.91 | $37,790 | $63,670 | 1,140 | $54,256 |
| Wyoming | $47,480 | $22.83 | $39,960 | $60,820 | 80 | $51,224 |
| Arkansas | $45,510 | $21.88 | $32,430 | $61,460 | 1,080 | $52,348 |
BLS does not publish pay for ironworkers in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Ironworker salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes ironworker pay: 160 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Boston, MA $120,840
- Trenton, NJ $116,360
- Atlantic City, NJ $114,570
- Olympia, WA $111,500
- Seattle, WA $111,440
- San Jose, CA $109,440
- Vallejo, CA $106,900
- Vineland, NJ $105,370
- Philadelphia, PA $103,330
- Chicago, IL $102,350
Where the pay goes furthest
- Atlantic City, NJ $115,895
- Trenton, NJ $112,774
- Boston, MA $111,614
- Vineland, NJ $109,797
- La Crosse, WI $109,144
- Rockford, IL $108,829
- Olympia, WA $107,553
- Appleton, WI $101,667
- Philadelphia, PA $100,757
- Seattle, WA $100,276
All 160 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $120,840 | 1,310 | $111,614 | 30% |
| Trenton, NJ | $116,360 | 70 | $112,774 | 26% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $114,570 | 30 | $115,895 | 21% |
| Olympia, WA | $111,500 | 40 | $107,553 | 22% |
| Seattle, WA | $111,440 | 450 | $100,276 | 24% |
| San Jose, CA | $109,440 | 330 | $99,110 | 42% |
| Vallejo, CA | $106,900 | 150 | $98,544 | 28% |
| Vineland, NJ | $105,370 | 40 | $109,797 | 19% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $103,330 | 800 | $100,757 | 22% |
| Chicago, IL | $102,350 | 2,120 | $98,798 | 25% |
| New York, NY | $102,060 | 2,300 | $90,669 | 42% |
| Rockford, IL | $100,290 | 190 | $108,829 | 16% |
| La Crosse, WI | $100,160 | 40 | $109,144 | 16% |
| Honolulu, HI | $99,860 | – | $89,996 | 36% |
| Providence, RI | $98,320 | 640 | $96,607 | 26% |
| Portland, OR | $98,120 | 410 | $93,074 | 22% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $97,810 | 750 | $93,311 | 21% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $97,150 | 150 | $88,785 | 28% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $95,730 | 240 | $98,755 | 19% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $94,120 | 30 | $88,075 | 37% |
| Appleton, WI | $93,960 | 80 | $101,667 | 15% |
| Eugene, OR | $92,580 | 40 | $91,151 | 23% |
| Madison, WI | $92,460 | 70 | $95,038 | 23% |
| Chico, CA | $88,070 | 50 | $87,028 | 21% |
| San Francisco, CA | $87,340 | 800 | $75,545 | 47% |
| Bellingham, WA | $86,120 | 50 | $83,341 | 27% |
| Allentown, PA | $83,630 | 150 | $83,657 | 26% |
| Fargo, ND | $83,200 | 170 | $91,558 | 16% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $82,860 | 370 | $87,524 | 21% |
| Spokane, WA | $82,660 | 120 | $82,375 | 22% |
| Champaign, IL | $82,480 | 30 | $88,971 | 20% |
| Springfield, IL | $81,750 | 40 | $88,145 | 18% |
| St. Louis, MO | $81,640 | 670 | $85,857 | 21% |
| Scranton, PA | $80,540 | 70 | $86,087 | 20% |
| Fresno, CA | $80,110 | 180 | $78,418 | 31% |
| Des Moines, IA | $80,080 | – | $87,327 | 19% |
| Peoria, IL | $80,060 | 90 | $87,755 | 17% |
| Columbia, MO | $79,100 | 40 | $88,441 | 22% |
| Davenport, IA | $79,090 | 90 | $88,786 | 15% |
| Iowa City, IA | $78,800 | – | $86,112 | 27% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $78,040 | 2,150 | $68,718 | 45% |
| Boise, ID | $77,940 | 200 | $79,215 | 30% |
| Sacramento, CA | $77,760 | 450 | $72,898 | 35% |
| Kansas City, MO | $77,570 | 380 | $83,820 | 24% |
| Albany, NY | $77,110 | 150 | $77,446 | 26% |
| Anchorage, AK | $76,970 | 90 | $73,013 | 29% |
| Columbus, OH | $76,920 | 370 | $80,571 | 24% |
| Buffalo, NY | $76,420 | 210 | $79,734 | 23% |
| San Diego, CA | $76,400 | 740 | $68,283 | 47% |
| Akron, OH | $76,330 | 210 | $81,750 | 21% |
| Rochester, NY | $76,220 | 110 | $78,549 | 24% |
| Evansville, IN | $76,090 | 180 | $83,133 | 17% |
| Cleveland, OH | $76,060 | 380 | $80,981 | 23% |
| Modesto, CA | $75,820 | 100 | $72,828 | 33% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $75,700 | 480 | $79,375 | 24% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $75,380 | 80 | $84,732 | 20% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $75,380 | 60 | $69,936 | 42% |
| Lancaster, PA | $74,950 | 140 | $76,280 | 25% |
| Salem, OR | $74,920 | 40 | $72,282 | 26% |
| Stockton, CA | $74,890 | 170 | $71,263 | 39% |
| Toledo, OH | $74,710 | 220 | $81,690 | 20% |
| Dayton, OH | $74,650 | 90 | $80,534 | 21% |
| Omaha, NE | $74,430 | 380 | $80,981 | 23% |
| Springfield, MO | $74,330 | 50 | $83,908 | 20% |
| South Bend, IN | $73,640 | 50 | $79,304 | 20% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $73,470 | 390 | $80,932 | 22% |
| Riverside, CA | $72,790 | 1,120 | $68,385 | 42% |
| Syracuse, NY | $71,810 | 80 | $75,004 | 27% |
| Baltimore, MD | $71,200 | 300 | $68,142 | 33% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $70,400 | 120 | $69,782 | 31% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $70,140 | 1,110 | $73,295 | 26% |
| Florence, AL | $69,530 | 60 | $81,976 | 19% |
| Louisville, KY | $69,280 | 310 | $74,435 | 23% |
| Billings, MT | $69,030 | 60 | $73,808 | 24% |
| Washington, DC | $68,320 | 1,060 | $62,746 | 42% |
| Reading, PA | $67,550 | 40 | $69,596 | 28% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $67,530 | 190 | $72,949 | 22% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $65,250 | 230 | $68,292 | 30% |
| Hartford, CT | $64,850 | 140 | $63,117 | 37% |
| Decatur, IL | $64,830 | 40 | $73,319 | 20% |
| Lexington, KY | $64,000 | 40 | $68,899 | 30% |
| Portland, ME | $63,730 | 80 | $62,567 | 43% |
| Oxnard, CA | $63,150 | 50 | $57,132 | 56% |
| Detroit, MI | $62,870 | 930 | $62,683 | 29% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $62,670 | 60 | $61,971 | 38% |
| Joplin, MO | $62,600 | 90 | $73,030 | 24% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $62,510 | 910 | $62,376 | 33% |
| New Haven, CT | $62,400 | 80 | $59,679 | 39% |
| Elkhart, IN | $62,390 | 80 | $69,073 | 23% |
| Nashville, TN | $61,890 | 400 | $64,243 | 35% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $61,880 | 150 | $67,655 | 29% |
| Knoxville, TN | $61,250 | 130 | $66,167 | 34% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $61,120 | 50 | $60,981 | 45% |
| Deltona, FL | $60,740 | 50 | $61,127 | 35% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $60,580 | 780 | $60,059 | 33% |
| Winchester, VA | $60,420 | 30 | $62,644 | 36% |
| Miami, FL | $60,270 | 890 | $52,797 | 53% |
| Richmond, VA | $60,260 | – | $61,579 | 34% |
| Denver, CO | $60,080 | 480 | $56,796 | 38% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $60,080 | 40 | $55,324 | 56% |
| Austin, TX | $59,980 | 710 | $61,163 | 32% |
| Manchester, NH | $59,920 | 120 | $56,712 | 43% |
| Reno, NV | $59,880 | – | $59,279 | 41% |
| Amarillo, TX | $59,610 | 60 | $64,920 | 26% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,540 | 3,470 | $57,629 | 35% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $59,230 | 100 | $67,520 | 34% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $59,200 | 200 | $65,320 | 26% |
| Birmingham, AL | $59,180 | 550 | $64,576 | 28% |
| Greeley, CO | $59,100 | 80 | $58,996 | 34% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $58,630 | 700 | $59,863 | 39% |
| Wichita, KS | $58,100 | 90 | $65,321 | 25% |
| Houston, TX | $58,030 | 3,000 | $58,837 | 34% |
| Provo, UT | $57,960 | 320 | $59,003 | 37% |
| Lincoln, NE | $57,900 | 130 | $63,223 | 27% |
| Durham, NC | $57,810 | 100 | $59,249 | 34% |
| Charleston, SC | $57,780 | 100 | $57,229 | 42% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $57,720 | 50 | $60,827 | 35% |
| Sherman, TX | $57,720 | 60 | $61,554 | 28% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $57,440 | 330 | $61,983 | 30% |
| Beaumont, TX | $57,220 | 310 | $63,545 | 27% |
| Augusta, GA | $56,900 | 80 | $61,913 | 31% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $56,440 | 70 | $63,158 | 27% |
| Ogden, UT | $56,420 | 260 | $56,224 | 35% |
| Saginaw, MI | $56,300 | 100 | $61,942 | 22% |
| Decatur, AL | $56,220 | 70 | $64,464 | 23% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $55,690 | 70 | $55,299 | 38% |
| Tucson, AZ | $54,770 | 230 | $56,525 | 33% |
| Dallas, TX | $53,600 | 2,850 | $51,993 | 37% |
| Gulfport, MS | $53,600 | 40 | $59,552 | 32% |
| Greenville, SC | $53,450 | 150 | $57,313 | 35% |
| Tulsa, OK | $53,190 | 270 | $59,621 | 31% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $52,140 | 30 | $59,387 | 22% |
| Columbia, SC | $50,510 | 100 | $53,928 | 37% |
| Memphis, TN | $50,390 | 240 | $54,665 | 33% |
| San Antonio, TX | $50,120 | 510 | $52,916 | 34% |
| Greensboro, NC | $49,490 | 170 | $53,292 | 34% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $49,490 | 40 | $55,455 | 31% |
| Rapid City, SD | $49,100 | 170 | $55,070 | 36% |
| St. George, UT | $48,970 | 70 | $50,318 | 45% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $48,870 | – | $49,123 | 41% |
| Tampa, FL | $48,720 | 320 | $48,290 | 49% |
| Logan, UT | $48,510 | 50 | $50,570 | 35% |
| Orlando, FL | $48,400 | 310 | $47,723 | 48% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $48,350 | 70 | $51,383 | 38% |
| Charlotte, NC | $48,290 | 550 | $49,606 | 43% |
| Atlanta, GA | $48,090 | 620 | $48,062 | 46% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,730 | 160 | $51,856 | 38% |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,530 | 100 | $51,330 | 40% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $47,390 | 200 | $51,876 | 40% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $47,330 | 470 | $52,352 | 35% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $47,150 | 40 | $48,865 | 39% |
| Houma, LA | $46,800 | 90 | $54,992 | 33% |
| Little Rock, AR | $46,660 | 310 | $52,213 | 32% |
| Abilene, TX | $45,680 | 80 | $50,551 | 52% |
| Waco, TX | $45,590 | 50 | $49,260 | 37% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $45,220 | 40 | $52,650 | 29% |
| Tyler, TX | $45,030 | 80 | $48,863 | 35% |
| College Station, TX | $44,760 | 40 | $49,213 | 40% |
| McAllen, TX | $42,710 | 60 | $49,723 | 31% |
| Ocala, FL | $33,770 | 90 | $35,460 | 57% |
What the median ironworker salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $62,780 |
| Month | $5,232 |
| Every two weeks | $2,415 |
| Week | $1,207 |
| Hour | $30.18 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an ironworker: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Apprenticeship |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +3.1% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 5,900 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 | High school diploma |
| Heavy equipment operator | $59,850 | High school diploma |
| Construction worker | $47,120 | No formal education |
| Elevator mechanic | $109,910 | High school diploma |
| Electrician | $63,190 | High school diploma |
| Roofer | $55,440 | No formal education |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | High school diploma |
Questions about ironworker pay
How much does an ironworker make an hour?
The median is $30.18 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $21.43 and the top 10% over $52.05.
How much does an ironworker make a month?
About $5,232 a month before taxes at the median salary of $62,780, or $2,415 every two weeks.
What state pays ironworkers the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $120,840. New Jersey ($113,220), Washington ($107,660), Illinois ($101,850) and Hawaii ($99,860) follow.
Where do ironworkers make the most after cost of living?
Massachusetts: its median of $120,840 is worth $114,262 at typical US prices. New Jersey, Illinois and Washington come next.
How much do entry-level ironworkers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of ironworkers earn under $44,580 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $49,880, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an ironworker?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: apprenticeship.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 47-2221 (Structural Iron and Steel Workers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.