How much does a structural iron and steel worker make?
The median structural iron and steel worker in the United States earns $62,780 per year, about $30.18 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all structural iron and steel workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2221.
Structural iron and steel worker salary range
Pay for structural iron and steel workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,580 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $108,260. The average (mean) wage of $70,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,580 | $21.43 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,780 | $30.18 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $82,660 | $39.74 | |
| 90th percentile | $108,260 | $52.05 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for structural iron and steel workers (SOC 47-2221), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Structural iron and steel worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Structural iron and steel workers earn the most in Massachusetts at $120,840 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $45,510. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,840 | 2,050 |
| New Jersey | $113,220 | 1,060 |
| Washington | $107,660 | 850 |
| Illinois | $101,850 | 2,740 |
| Hawaii | $99,860 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $98,320 | 360 |
| Oregon | $96,050 | 570 |
| Minnesota | $95,320 | 910 |
| Wisconsin | $92,820 | 710 |
| New York | $92,610 | 2,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,970 | 1,610 |
| North Dakota | $82,120 | 270 |
| Missouri | $77,410 | 1,320 |
| Iowa | $77,400 | N/A |
| Alaska | $76,970 | 120 |
| California | $76,370 | 7,110 |
| Ohio | $74,710 | 2,290 |
| Idaho | $72,750 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $71,850 | 150 |
| Maryland | $71,730 | 710 |
| Indiana | $70,130 | 2,750 |
| Louisiana | $68,830 | 1,180 |
| Montana | $67,390 | 130 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | 610 |
| Kentucky | $64,060 | 990 |
| Michigan | $62,830 | 1,750 |
| Nevada | $62,510 | 1,400 |
| Connecticut | $62,400 | 330 |
| Maine | $61,750 | 200 |
| District of Columbia | $61,240 | 210 |
| Virginia | $60,260 | 2,300 |
| New Hampshire | $59,920 | 220 |
| Delaware | $59,820 | 90 |
| Arizona | $59,390 | 3,980 |
| Colorado | $58,830 | 860 |
| Kansas | $58,560 | 260 |
| Utah | $58,250 | 1,630 |
| South Dakota | $57,050 | 440 |
| Tennessee | $56,750 | 1,240 |
| Alabama | $56,640 | 1,740 |
| Florida | $55,700 | 2,730 |
| Vermont | $55,640 | 50 |
| Texas | $52,240 | 9,700 |
| South Carolina | $50,750 | 660 |
| Mississippi | $50,690 | 480 |
| North Carolina | $48,740 | 2,000 |
| Georgia | $48,090 | 980 |
| Oklahoma | $47,660 | 1,140 |
| Wyoming | $47,480 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $45,510 | 1,080 |
State median wages for structural iron and steel workers (SOC 47-2221), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for structural iron and steel workers
The BLS projects employment of structural iron and steel workers to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 68,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 70,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,900 openings a year for structural iron and steel workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a structural iron and steel worker
The typical entry-level education for structural iron and steel workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete a formal apprenticeship to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a structural iron and steel worker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $120,840) and the lowest (Arkansas, $45,510) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 68,380 people work as structural iron and steel workers in the United States. At $62,780 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Structural iron and steel worker salary FAQ
How much does a structural iron and steel worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a structural iron and steel worker is $30.18. The middle half of structural iron and steel workers earn between $23.98 and $39.74 per hour.
What is the highest structural iron and steel worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of structural iron and steel workers earn more than $108,260 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a structural iron and steel worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a structural iron and steel worker is $62,780. The average (mean) wage of $70,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a structural iron and steel worker a well paid job?
At $62,780 a year, a structural iron and steel worker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 68,380 people work as structural iron and steel workers in the United States.
Which state pays structural iron and steel workers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for structural iron and steel workers at $120,840 a year. New Jersey ($113,220) and Washington ($107,660) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a structural iron and steel worker a good career?
Employment of structural iron and steel workers is projected to grow 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a structural iron and steel worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for structural iron and steel workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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