Ironworker
You build what everyone else works inside.
Median Salary
$63,480
Apprenticeship
3–4 years
Union Presence
Strong
Physical Demand
High
Job Demand
Moderate
Ironworkers erect the structural steel frames of skyscrapers, bridges, stadiums, and industrial facilities. It's one of the most physically demanding and well-compensated trades, with strong union representation and significant overtime opportunities on large projects.
What Ironworkers Earn
National data — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
25th Percentile
$43,890
Entry level
Median
$63,480
Mid-career
75th Percentile
$90,120
Experienced
90th Percentile
$107,400
Top earners
Salary by State
Teal bars = above national median · Blue bars = below national median · Source: BLS OEWS
Career Path
From day one to running your own operation
Apprentice Ironworker
$38,000–$55,000Years 0–4
Complete a 3–4 year IUIW union apprenticeship. Learn to raise and connect structural steel, set rebar for concrete, and work safely at extreme heights with rigging and cranes.
Journeyperson Ironworker
$60,000–$100,000+Years 4–10
Work on commercial high-rises, bridges, stadiums, and industrial structures. Union ironworkers on large projects often work significant overtime, pushing total annual earnings well above the base wage.
Foreman / General Foreman
$90,000–$120,000Years 8–15
Supervise an ironworking crew on major steel erection projects. Requires strong rigging knowledge, crane coordination skills, and the ability to read structural drawings.
Superintendent / Steel Contractor
$100,000–$180,000+Years 12+
Move into project management for a structural steel erection contractor, or start your own ironworking specialty firm serving as a sub to general contractors.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Among the highest base wages in the construction trades
- ✓Major project overtime can push annual earnings to $100,000+ for journeypersons
- ✓Very strong IUIW union with excellent benefits and pension
- ✓Work is never boring — every structure and every city is different
- ✓Ironworkers are in demand wherever large-scale construction is happening
Challenges
- ✕Working at heights daily — not for those with any fear of heights
- ✕One of the most physically demanding trades in construction
- ✕Highly dependent on large commercial and infrastructure project pipelines
- ✕Injury rates are higher than most other trades
How to Get Started
Step-by-step path into the ironworker trade
- 1
Apply to your local IUIW union (ironworkers.org) — it's competitive, but the union offers the best wages and safety training for this work.
Browse ironworker apprenticeships → - 2
Build your welding skills before applying — AWS D1.1 structural certification is a major advantage that most locals notice.
Find welding programs → - 3
Competition is high in major markets. Apply early, follow up persistently — most people get in on their second or third attempt.
- 4
Once accepted, your apprenticeship starts immediately. You're earning from day one while building toward journeyperson wages.
Get the Free Ironworker Salary Guide
Median wages for ironworkers across all 50 states, pulled directly from BLS data. Free, no strings.
Ironworker Licensing & Salary by State
Requirements vary by state. Select yours to see local wages, licensing steps, and programs near you.