Structural Iron and Steel Worker Salary
Structural Iron and Steel Workers earn a median $62,780 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
U.S. median
$62,780
$30.18 per hour
Range
$44,580 – $108,260
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
68,380
across the U.S.
▲0.1%
Pay trend: The median for structural iron and steel workers in the U.S. rose from $62,700 (May 2024) to $62,780 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.3%.
What structural iron and steel workers do
Raise, place, and unite iron or steel girders, columns, and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks. May erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.1% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 5,900
Employment of structural iron and steel workers is projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Structural Iron and Steel Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$52,624
per year · effective tax rate 16.2%
$4,385Monthly
$2,193Twice a month
$2,024Every 2 weeks
$25.30Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,354
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,892
- Medicare (1.45%)$910
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$52,624
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,580 | $21.43 | $38,000 |
| 25th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 | $42,259 |
| Median (50th) | $62,780 | $30.18 | $52,624 |
| 75th percentile | $82,660 | $39.74 | $66,981 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,260 | $52.05 | $84,991 |
Best cities for structural iron and steel workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $58,030 | $48,807 | $49,486 | 3,000 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $59,540 | $48,741 | $47,176 | 3,470 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $53,600 | $45,248 | $43,891 | 2,850 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Phoenix, AZ — $59,540
- Houston, TX — $58,030
- Dallas, TX — $53,600
Structural Iron and Steel Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,840 | +3.6% | $88,019 | $82,760 – $128,080 | 2,050 |
| New Jersey | $113,220 | +1.3% | $83,458 | $94,000 – $130,710 | 1,060 |
| Washington | $107,660 | +1.6% | $84,569 | $53,210 – $128,970 | 850 |
| Illinois | $101,850 | +0.8% | $75,585 | $64,830 – $124,450 | 2,740 |
| Hawaii | $99,860 | +0.5% | $73,022 | $53,970 – $121,680 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $98,320 | +2.6% | $74,928 | $65,500 – $98,330 | 360 |
| Oregon | $96,050 | +6.7% | $68,826 | $52,630 – $120,860 | 570 |
| Minnesota | $95,320 | +2.2% | $70,929 | $80,030 – $99,010 | 910 |
| Wisconsin | $92,820 | +1.0% | $70,590 | $58,150 – $100,160 | 710 |
| New York | $92,610 | −2.9% | $69,557 | $59,140 – $129,180 | 2,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,970 | +1.9% | $64,652 | $51,550 – $110,680 | 1,610 |
| North Dakota | $82,120 | +3.3% | $66,259 | $57,410 – $99,840 | 270 |
| Missouri | $77,410 | +28.5% | $60,587 | $48,650 – $89,350 | 1,320 |
| Iowa | $77,400 | +17.0% | $60,992 | $59,120 – $81,240 | — |
| Alaska | $76,970 | −5.3% | $62,978 | $65,990 – $99,980 | 120 |
| California | $76,370 | +6.0% | $58,666 | $47,480 – $118,030 | 7,110 |
| Ohio | $74,710 | +4.0% | $60,116 | $47,840 – $88,860 | 2,290 |
| Idaho | $72,750 | +17.0% | $57,262 | $49,780 – $80,140 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $71,850 | −4.7% | $56,848 | $50,620 – $80,200 | 150 |
| Maryland | $71,730 | +6.0% | $56,249 | $47,790 – $82,160 | 710 |
| Indiana | $70,130 | −5.5% | $56,127 | $45,720 – $98,840 | 2,750 |
| Louisiana | $68,830 | +2.7% | $55,573 | $39,130 – $80,560 | 1,180 |
| Montana | $67,390 | +20.0% | $53,792 | $47,880 – $75,690 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | +5.6% | $52,686 | $48,160 – $79,040 | 610 |
| Kentucky | $64,060 | −6.5% | $51,528 | $48,240 – $98,360 | 990 |
| Michigan | $62,830 | −1.7% | $50,244 | $41,260 – $79,150 | 1,750 |
| Nevada | $62,510 | −0.8% | $52,407 | $46,560 – $103,770 | 1,400 |
| Connecticut | $62,400 | −22.4% | $50,435 | $47,810 – $97,760 | 330 |
| Maine | $61,750 | −1.6% | $48,810 | $45,660 – $86,840 | 200 |
| District of Columbia | $61,240 | −1.1% | $48,852 | $58,130 – $93,070 | 210 |
| Virginia | $60,260 | +3.6% | $47,948 | $47,040 – $73,890 | 2,300 |
| New Hampshire | $59,920 | −2.2% | $50,326 | $48,500 – $73,480 | 220 |
| Delaware | $59,820 | +2.6% | $47,602 | $50,000 – $72,370 | 90 |
| Arizona | $59,390 | −1.1% | $48,624 | $46,470 – $92,270 | 3,980 |
| Colorado | $58,830 | −3.6% | $47,570 | $44,870 – $83,150 | 860 |
| Kansas | $58,560 | +20.3% | $46,765 | $44,770 – $79,820 | 260 |
| Utah | $58,250 | +21.8% | $47,329 | $40,190 – $75,200 | 1,630 |
| South Dakota | $57,050 | +9.9% | $48,020 | $45,380 – $74,800 | 440 |
| Tennessee | $56,750 | +1.8% | $47,779 | $44,500 – $74,700 | 1,240 |
| Alabama | $56,640 | +10.2% | $45,123 | $40,660 – $67,700 | 1,740 |
| Florida | $55,700 | +3.6% | $46,935 | $37,950 – $73,280 | 2,730 |
| Vermont | $55,640 | −9.1% | $45,457 | $46,450 – $83,630 | 50 |
| Texas | $52,240 | +5.7% | $44,155 | $42,160 – $77,520 | 9,700 |
| South Carolina | $50,750 | +0.2% | $41,070 | $34,890 – $66,750 | 660 |
| Mississippi | $50,690 | +28.8% | $41,614 | $30,700 – $74,520 | 480 |
| North Carolina | $48,740 | −2.6% | $39,907 | $36,780 – $79,130 | 2,000 |
| Georgia | $48,090 | −15.8% | $38,947 | $38,370 – $70,680 | 980 |
| Oklahoma | $47,660 | −0.4% | $38,876 | $37,790 – $63,670 | 1,140 |
| Wyoming | $47,480 | +7.0% | $40,330 | $39,960 – $60,820 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $45,510 | −7.3% | $37,185 | $32,430 – $61,460 | 1,080 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $63,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.2% |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $62,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.8% |
| Carpenter | $60,580 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.6% |
| Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker | $58,970 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.3% |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer | $58,930 | No formal educational credential | +2.5% |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $58,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.1% |
| Plasterer and Stucco Mason | $57,660 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a structural iron and steel worker make?
The national median salary for structural iron and steel workers is $62,780 a year ($30.18 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,580 and the top 10% earn over $108,260. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays structural iron and steel workers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $120,840. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many structural iron and steel workers are there in the U.S.?
About 68,380 people work as structural iron and steel workers nationwide.