Structural Iron and Steel Workers Salary

The median structural iron and steel workers salary in the United States is $62,780 per year ($30.18/hour). Salaries range from $44,580 at the entry level to $108,260+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 68,380 structural iron and steel workers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4.4% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asIronworkerStructural Iron Worker
Median Salary
$62,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.18
per hour
Employment
68,380
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$44,580
25th percentile
$49,880
Median
$62,780
75th percentile
$82,660
90th percentile
$108,260

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+4.4%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

5,500
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Apprenticeship

Structural Iron and Steel Workers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for structural iron and steel workerss.

Structural iron and steel workers erect the skeletons of buildings, bridges, refineries, stadiums, and wind towers. They rig loads, connect steel, weld, bolt, install rebar, and land pre-cast panels at heights that separate the trade from every other construction craft. Union apprenticeship through Ironworkers Local 40, 361, 401, and their International (IW) is the primary pathway. Apprentice $22-32/hr with pension and health; journey ironworker $38-58/hr in most metros, $58-85/hr in NYC, SF, and DC; foreman $52-72/hr; general foreman / superintendent $95-165k+ salaried. Prevailing wage federal jobs and refinery/nuclear specialty pay 20-35% premium.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Rigging & signaling
Sling selection, shackle rating, tag lines, and hand signals to the crane operator. NCCCO-certified signalperson and rigger credentials are increasingly required. A miscommunicated rigger has killed people; this is the highest-stakes skill on the deck.
Connecting (bolting up and welding structural steel)
Plumb the column, install spud wrenches, drift pins, and structural bolts. Twist-off bolts to spec, marked with witness lines. Field-welded moment connections require SMAW / FCAW proficiency and AWS D1.1 certification.
Reinforcing (rebar tying and placement)
Read the placing drawings, tie rebar per ACI 318 spacing, bar splice per bar mark, and cage stability during pour. Skilled rod-busters are in short supply and command premium.
Welding (SMAW, FCAW, GMAW)
Structural welding to AWS D1.1, D1.5 (bridge), or D1.6 (stainless). Certified positions (2G, 3G, 4G, 6G pipe) unlock specialty work β€” bridges, refineries, nuclear.
OSHA 30 & fall protection
100% tie-off above 6 ft in most jurisdictions. Personal fall arrest, self-retracting lifelines, and safety net systems. Ironworkers experience one of the higher fatality rates in construction; safety culture is real.
Print reading & shop drawings
Read structural drawings, erection drawings, and shop drawings for connections and bolt patterns. Understand the difference between shear and moment connections and their bolt / weld requirements.
Crane operations awareness (NCCCO certified operators)
Journey ironworkers often operate telehandlers, forklifts, and boom lifts. Some cross into crane operation for higher earning potential ($75-125k+ as certified operators).

How to Become a Structural Iron and Steel Workers

  1. 1
    Meet baseline requirements
    18+, high school diploma or GED, U.S. work authorization, valid driver's license, ability to lift 100 lbs, pass drug screen, and comfort at height. OSHA 10 is a common entry credential.
  2. 2
    Apply to the Ironworkers apprenticeship (or a non-union contractor as a helper)
    The Ironworkers International (IW) runs a 3-4 year paid apprenticeship. Apply through your local (Local 40 NYC, Local 361 NYC-Metro, Local 401 Philadelphia, Local 63 Chicago, Local 1 Bay Area, etc.). Non-union structural contractors (Schuff, W&W, Hillsdale, Century Steel) also hire helpers directly.
  3. 3
    Complete the apprenticeship (3-4 years)
    8,000+ hours of on-the-job work plus classroom training in rigging, welding, connecting, reinforcing, and safety. Apprentices earn 50-90% of journey wage on a step schedule. Passing the journey exam graduates you to full ironworker.
  4. 4
    Earn journey wage and specialty certifications
    $38-58/hr base plus fringe. Add NCCCO Signalperson & Rigger, AWS D1.1 certified welder, and specialty welding positions (6G pipe, D1.5 bridge, D1.6 stainless) for premium work. TWIC card required for petrochemical and port work.
  5. 5
    Advance to Foreman, General Foreman, and Superintendent
    $52-72/hr foreman, $75-105/hr GF, $120-165k+ superintendent. Some journey ironworkers cross into crane operation, welding inspection (CWI), or open their own contracting firm.

Career Progression

Apprentice Ironworker (0-4 yrs)
0-4 yrs$46-72k ($22-32/hr scaling by step) + pension + health
  • β€’Assist in rigging, bolting, connecting, and reinforcing
  • β€’Progress through classroom training and journey requirements
  • β€’Earn OSHA 30, rigger, signalperson credentials
  • β€’Ride with journey ironworkers on structural erection
Next: Journey Ironworker at completion of 3-4 year apprenticeship.
Journey Ironworker
3-15+ yrs$78-120k ($38-58/hr + overtime + fringe) β€” $120-175k in NYC, SF, DC
  • β€’Rig, connect, bolt, weld, and reinforce on structural projects
  • β€’Signal cranes and mentor apprentices
  • β€’Own quality of connection installation to structural drawings
  • β€’Cross-train on welding certifications and crane operation
Next: Foreman at 8-15 years.
Foreman
10+ yrs$105-155k ($52-72/hr + overtime) or salaried on some projects
  • β€’Run a crew of 4-12 ironworkers on structural sections
  • β€’Coordinate with the GC, engineer, and other trades
  • β€’Own safety compliance, tool count, and daily production
  • β€’Approve rigging plans and connection sequences
Next: General Foreman or Superintendent at 15-20 years.
General Foreman / Superintendent
15+ yrs$120-185k+ salaried + vehicle + performance bonus
  • β€’Run multiple crews on large projects (buildings, bridges, refineries)
  • β€’Own project schedule, quality, and P&L in coordination with PM
  • β€’Interface with owner, engineer, and inspectors
  • β€’Develop crew leadership pipeline
Next: Project Manager, Estimator, or launch own steel erection contracting business.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through the rigging plan you'd use to erect a 40-ton W-shape column.technical
Concrete detail. Determine the CG of the column and mark it. Use two nylon slings in a basket hitch at the CG or a matched pair rated for the load (WLL confirmed on the tags). Add a spreader bar to prevent side loading and to keep the sling angle below 30Β° from vertical for full WLL. Verify shackle rating (typically 3x the load). Tag lines on both sides. Communicate the picking plan with the crane operator and the signalperson. Verify the column base plate is set and shimmed. Verify the connecting crew is in position with drift pins, spud wrenches, and safety-clipped. On the pick β€” plumb, land, and pin. Interviewers screen for load path awareness, WLL fluency, and cadence.
Q2. How do you handle a bolt that won't reach spec torque?technical
Verify the bolt, nut, and washer are properly matched grade (A325 or A490 with matching nut). Check for damaged threads or a bad witness line. Confirm the tension calibrator or twist-off indicator is calibrated. Try a different bolt from a different lot. If the connection still doesn't take spec, stop and consult the engineer of record β€” the underlying issue is often geometry, hole quality, or bolt lot. Never accept an out-of-spec bolt. Document.
Q3. Describe a difficult erection you led.behavioral
STAR with detail. Situation: 12-story building with a complex cantilever section, non-standard bolt patterns on shop drawings that didn't match the field steel. Task: your role as foreman. Action: shut down that section, called the engineer and detailer, verified the correct pattern, worked with the field welder to modify field connections under engineered direction, and re-sequenced the erection to keep the crew productive. Result: 4-day delay contained, no re-work later, no safety incidents. Interviewers want to see you handle field problems without cowboy fixes.
Q4. Why ironworking?culture
The honest answer that lands: you like physical, high-stakes work where the craft is visible on the skyline. You want a union pathway with journey wages, pension, and health. Avoid saying 'because I don't want to sit at a desk' as the only reason. Name a specific ironworker, mentor, or project that shaped the choice. Family in the trade is a legitimate reason β€” many locals hire second-generation ironworkers preferentially.
Q5. Where do you see your career in 5 years?closer
Show the tracks: journey ironworker mastering multiple welding positions, foreman, crane operator, or CWI (welding inspector). Say which you're leaning toward and why. Naming specialty specialty (D1.5 bridge welding, refinery pipe welding, NCCCO crane) signals concrete depth.

Resume Template β€” Journey Ironworker (3-15+ yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Journey Ironworker (3-15+ yrs)
  • β–ΈJourney ironworker on 5 major commercial and industrial projects in FY24 including a 28-story office tower and a $180M highway bridge widening.
  • β–ΈAWS D1.1 certified in 2G, 3G, and 4G structural positions; NCCCO Signalperson and Rigger certified.
  • β–ΈZero recordable safety incidents in 6 years of journey work.
  • β–Έ$96k annualized ($46/hr + fringe + OT) with full IW pension and Blue Cross health.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Fear of heights or unwilling to work at heights 100 ft+ with fall protection.
  • βœ—Poor rigging practice β€” cannot select the correct sling, shackle, or angle for the load.
  • βœ—No welding certifications and no plan to earn them β€” journey work is welding-heavy.
  • βœ—Careless safety culture β€” anti-hooking, skipping tie-off, poor ladder use is disqualifying at reputable contractors.
  • βœ—Bad tool discipline β€” losing spud wrenches, drift pins, or bolts on a deck creates delays and hazards.
  • βœ—Cannot work in weather (rain, snow, heat, cold) or unwilling to travel for out-of-town projects.
  • βœ—Any recent drug screen or violence charge β€” union locals and reputable non-union firms screen hard.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Welding certifications drive pay: D1.1 unlimited positions add $2-4/hr, D1.5 bridge adds $4-6/hr, 6G pipe adds $5-9/hr, D1.6 stainless adds $4-7/hr.
  • βœ“NCCCO Signalperson + Rigger + Crane Operator credentials add $3-6/hr and lead to premium rigging and crane work.
  • βœ“Prevailing wage on federal (Davis-Bacon) and state projects pays 20-35% above private commercial.
  • βœ“TWIC card + refinery orientation (BROWZ, ISNetworld safety) opens petrochemical work at $65-95/hr.
  • βœ“Nuclear power specialty (Bechtel, Fluor) pays $60-90/hr plus per diem.
  • βœ“Wind tower erection specialty (Blattner, Mortenson) pays per diem plus overtime β€” $85-140k travel-heavy pay.
  • βœ“General Foreman and Superintendent positions on national tour construction firms include vehicle, phone, tools, and $8-25k performance bonus.

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Structural Iron and Steel Workers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$46K
$121Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

Massachusetts
$121K
+92%
New Jersey
$113K
+80%
Washington
$108K
+71%
Illinois
$102K
+62%
Hawaii
$100K
+59%
Rhode Island
$98K
+57%
Oregon
$96K
+53%
Minnesota
$95K
+52%
Wisconsin
$93K
+48%
New York
$93K
+48%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
Massachusetts$120,840+92.5%
New Jersey$113,220+80.3%
Washington$107,660+71.5%
Illinois$101,850+62.2%
Hawaii$99,860+59.1%
Rhode Island$98,320+56.6%
Oregon$96,050+53.0%
Minnesota$95,320+51.8%
Wisconsin$92,820+47.8%
New York$92,610+47.5%
1–10 of 50

Structural Iron and Steel Workers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$120,840+92.5%
Trenton-Princeton, NJ$116,360+85.3%
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ$114,570+82.5%
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA$111,500+77.6%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$111,440+77.5%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$109,440+74.3%
Vallejo, CA$106,900+70.3%
Vineland, NJ$105,370+67.8%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$103,330+64.6%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$102,350+63.0%
1–10 of 163
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A structural iron and steel workers earning $62,780/year would need 949 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1019 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how structural iron and steel workers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary trend (2011–2024) β†’