How much do rebar workers make in the US in 2026?
$58,970
National median (BLS OEWS May 2025)
In 2026, rebar workers earn the most in Wisconsin (~$121,620) and the least in South Carolina (~$41,020), with a national median of $58,970 (BLS OEWS May 2025). Last updated June 2026.
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Which state is best for rebar workers?
Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.
Highest median pay
Wisconsin
$121,620
Most jobs
Texas
3,640 jobs
Across 21 states: $41,020–$121,620 (median $59,410).
At the national level, rebar workers — formally listed as reinforcing iron and rebar workers — earn a median of $58,970 a year, according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The middle half of earners fall between $47,990 (25th percentile) and $77,320 (75th percentile), a spread of nearly $30,000 that reflects real differences in location, employer type, and hours worked. TradesPays currently covers this trade across 21 states, and the range across those states is striking: Wisconsin tops the list at $121,620, followed by New Jersey at $116,110 and Washington at $108,970. At the other end of our dataset, South Carolina comes in at $41,020. That's an $80,000 gap from top to bottom — proof that where you work matters as much as what you do. Use these numbers as a floor to stand on when you're evaluating a job offer or negotiating a raise.
Rebar Worker pay by state
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $121,620 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $116,110 |
| 3 | Washington | $108,970 |
| 4 | New York | $98,040 |
| 5 | Michigan | $91,220 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $74,670 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $70,700 |
| 8 | Indiana | $64,650 |
| 9 | California | $63,110 |
| 10 | Maryland | $61,640 |
| 11 | Missouri | $59,410 |
| 12 | Arizona | $58,230 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $57,920 |
| 14 | Colorado | $56,160 |
| 15 | Virginia | $55,120 |
See all 21
| 16 | North Carolina | $51,690 |
| 17 | Texas | $50,650 |
| 18 | Florida | $50,500 |
| 19 | Georgia | $47,480 |
| 20 | Alabama | $43,640 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $41,020 |
Where is the union premium biggest for Rebar Workers?
Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.
We don't have union scale data for Rebar Worker 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 Rebar Worker.
Union landscape
TradesPays does not have union scale data for rebar workers in any of the 21 states we currently cover. That's a gap we're being straight with you about rather than papering over with estimates. What we can tell you is that some rebar workers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and union scale rates — including any premium pay for foremen, odd-hour shifts, or hazardous conditions — are set through that agreement, not by survey data like BLS OEWS. If you're working under a collective bargaining agreement or considering a signatory contractor, the only reliable source for current scale rates is your local. Contact them directly and ask for the current wage schedule; they are required to have it and most will hand it over without hassle. We won't name unions here, and we won't tell you that union pay is higher or lower than the BLS figures on this page — we simply don't have the data to make that call honestly. When we do obtain verified union scale figures for this trade, we'll post them with a clear source and effective date.
What we don't track yet
A few things worth knowing before you lean too hard on any single number here. First, TradesPays does not currently publish metro-level pay data for rebar workers. The state medians on this page are the most granular geographic cut we have. If you're weighing a job in a high-cost metro versus a rural part of the same state, the statewide figure may not tell the whole story — a state like New Jersey at $116,110 is heavily influenced by its dense, high-wage metro areas, for example. Second, we do not break out pay by experience tier — no apprentice, journeyman, or master-level splits beyond what union scale data would provide (which, as noted above, we don't have for this trade). The BLS figures are a cross-section of everyone in the occupation, from the worker in their first year to the crew lead with two decades of reading structural drawings. Third, specialty factors — ironworker certifications, post-tensioning experience, high-rise versus slab-on-grade work — aren't captured in these numbers either. If you have verified wage data for rebar workers in your area, a specific tier, or a union scale sheet you're willing to share, we want it. Use the submission form on this page to send it our way. Better data helps every worker who looks this up after you.
Rebar Worker pay: FAQ
- What is the national median wage for rebar workers?
- According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the national median for reinforcing iron and rebar workers is $58,970 per year. The 25th percentile sits at $47,990 and the 75th percentile at $77,320.
- Which state pays rebar workers the most in the TradesPays dataset?
- Wisconsin is the highest-paying state in our current 21-state dataset at $121,620, followed by New Jersey at $116,110 and Washington at $108,970.
- Which state has the lowest rebar worker pay in the TradesPays dataset?
- South Carolina is the lowest in our current set at $41,020 annually. That's an $80,000-plus gap compared to the top state, so location is one of the biggest variables in this trade.
- How many states does TradesPays cover for rebar worker pay?
- We currently cover rebar worker wages in 21 states. If your state isn't listed, we either don't have reliable data for it yet or the sample size wasn't large enough to publish responsibly.
- Does TradesPays have pay data broken out by experience level for rebar workers?
- Not yet. The figures on this page represent the full range of workers in the occupation — from entry-level to experienced hands — without separating them into apprentice, journeyman, or senior tiers. We're working to add that layer where the data supports it.
- Is metro-level pay available for rebar workers on TradesPays?
- No. Right now, the state level is the most granular geographic cut we publish for this trade. Metro-level data is on our roadmap, but we won't post it until we have enough verified figures to make it useful rather than misleading.
- What's the difference between the 25th and 75th percentile for rebar workers, and why does it matter?
- The gap is about $29,330 — from $47,990 at the 25th percentile to $77,320 at the 75th. That spread tells you there's real variation in pay even before you factor in state differences. If an offer is coming in below $47,990, you're in the bottom quarter nationally and worth pushing back on.
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