What is the average ironworker salary in 2025?
The BLS reports a median annual wage of approximately $63,000 for structural iron and steel workers. Union journeyman ironworkers in major metro markets — Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle — regularly earn $80,000–$110,000 in wages and benefits combined. Experienced structural connectors in high-rise work frequently exceed $100,000 annually.
Ironworker compensation varies substantially by trade classification, union affiliation, and market. A reinforcing ironworker doing foundation and slab work earns differently from a structural ironworker erecting high-rise steel, who earns differently again from an ornamental ironworker doing curtain wall and railing installations. Staffing agencies must understand these distinctions to quote correctly and match candidates to appropriate roles.
Ironworker salary by trade classification
| Trade Classification | Typical Annual Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reinforcing Ironworker (Rodman) | $52,000 – $72,000 | Foundation, slab, and concrete reinforcing |
| Structural Ironworker | $65,000 – $95,000 | Steel erection, connector work |
| Ornamental Ironworker | $58,000 – $82,000 | Curtain wall, railing, architectural steel |
| Connector / Raising Gang | $75,000 – $110,000 | Most demanding; premium pay |
| Rigging and Machinery Ironworker | $68,000 – $95,000 | Heavy lift and rigging; crane operation |
| Union Journeyman (Major Metro) | $80,000 – $120,000+ | Total package: wages + benefits + pension |
Union vs. non-union ironworker pay rates
Union ironworkers in major construction markets earn base wages of $45–$65/hr plus significant fringe benefits that add $15–$25/hr to the total package cost. Non-union ironworker pay is typically 15–30% lower on base wages but without the benefits infrastructure. Right-to-work states in the South and Southeast have predominantly non-union markets.
For staffing agencies, the union vs. non-union distinction affects which clients you can serve. See the union vs. non-union staffing guide for the full framework. State-specific market context: Illinois ironworker staffing, Texas ironworker staffing.
Ironworker salary by state
| State | Median Ironworker Wage | Top of Market |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $82,000 | $115,000+ (union structural, Chicago) |
| California | $80,000 | $120,000+ (high-rise, seismic) |
| New York | $88,000 | $130,000+ (NYC union market) |
| Texas | $60,000 | $85,000 (petrochemical construction) |
| Pennsylvania | $68,000 | $95,000 (bridge, infrastructure) |
| Georgia / Southeast | $55,000 | $75,000 (open shop, automotive) |
How do staffing agencies calculate ironworker bill rates?
The standard markup for structural ironworker placements is 30–40% over pay rate, covering employer payroll taxes, workers' comp (which is high for ironworkers due to fall risk), general liability, and agency margin. Union placements add complexity — the agency must often make fringe contributions to the union benefit funds, which can add $15–$25/hr to the total cost billed to the client. For the full bill rate calculation context, see the trade staffing marketing benchmarks.