How much do ironworkers make in the US in 2026?

Which state is best for ironworkers?

Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.

Across 25 states: $48,090–$120,840 (median $70,130).

Ironworker pay by state

Where is the union premium biggest for Ironworkers?

Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.

We don't have union scale data for Ironworker across our states yet — these states are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Ironworker.

Union landscape

Ironworking has a long history of collective bargaining, and some workers in this trade are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that sets their wage scale, benefits, and working conditions. However, TradesPays does not currently have union scale data for ironworkers in the states we cover. That's a gap we're being straight with you about — we won't fill it with guesses or generalizations. If you're working under a collective bargaining agreement, or you're considering a signatory shop, the only reliable source for current scale rates, fringe packages, and jurisdiction rules is your local. Rates are negotiated at the local level and can change with each contract cycle, so anything we'd publish here would risk being stale or just plain wrong for your area. Check directly with your local for the current wage scale, pension contributions, health and welfare rates, and any area standards agreements that apply to your work. That's the only number worth trusting when you're making a real decision about a job or a dispatch.

What we don't track yet

A statewide median tells you a lot, but it doesn't tell you everything — and we'd rather be upfront about the gaps than paper over them. First, TradesPays does not currently publish metro-level pay data for ironworkers. State figures are the finest geographic cut we have right now, which means we can't tell you what ironworkers are earning in a specific city or metro area versus the rural parts of the same state. That difference can be significant in this trade, and we know it. Second, we don't break out wages by career tier — apprentice, journeyman, or foreman levels — beyond what union scale data would provide, which in this case we don't have. The BLS figures we publish are trade-wide averages; they blend all experience levels into a single number. A first-year apprentice and a ten-year structural hand are both in that median. If you work in this trade and you have pay stubs, settlement sheets, or scale agreements you're willing to share, we want to hear from you. Worker-submitted data is how we close these gaps. Use the submission form on any TradesPays ironworker page to send us what you've got — your location, tier, and wage range is all we need.

Ironworker pay: FAQ

What is the national median wage for ironworkers?

According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the national median annual wage for ironworkers is $62,780. The 25th percentile sits at $49,880 and the 75th percentile at $82,660.

Which states pay ironworkers the most?

In TradesPays' current 25-state dataset, the three highest-paying states for ironworkers are Massachusetts at $120,840, New Jersey at $113,220, and Washington at $107,660.

What is the lowest-paying state for ironworkers in your data?

Among the states TradesPays currently covers, Georgia has the lowest reported wage for ironworkers at $48,090.

Why is there such a large pay gap between states?

The gap between the highest state ($120,840 in Massachusetts) and the lowest in our set ($48,090 in Georgia) is over $72,000. State-level differences reflect a combination of local labor market conditions, the volume of large-scale structural and industrial work, and whether collective bargaining agreements are common in that region. TradesPays reports the numbers; the reasons behind them are specific to each market.

Does TradesPays have union scale data for ironworkers?

Not currently. We do not have union scale data for ironworkers in the states we cover. If you work under a collective bargaining agreement, contact your local directly for current scale rates — those figures are negotiated locally and change with each contract cycle.

How many states does TradesPays cover for ironworker wages?

TradesPays currently covers ironworker wage data across 25 states. We're working to expand that coverage, and worker submissions help us fill geographic gaps faster.

Does TradesPays break out wages by apprentice, journeyman, or foreman level?

Not yet. The figures on TradesPays are trade-wide — they blend all experience and tier levels into a single wage distribution. We don't currently publish separate figures for apprentices, journeymen, or foremen outside of union scale data, which we don't have for this trade. If you want to help us get there, submit your wage data using the form on any ironworker page.

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