Ironworker Apprenticeship
National Wage Spread
Annual wages for Ironworkers across all experience levels, nationwide.
Ironworker Wages by State
Median annual wage for Ironworkers by state, sorted highest to lowest.
| State | Median Wage | vs. National | Employment | Sponsors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $106,340 | +79% | 320 | 434 |
| Illinois | $102,260 | +73% | 100 | 959 |
| Nevada | $100,100 | +69% | 470 | 119 |
| Oregon | $91,150 | +54% | 370 | 249 |
| Minnesota | $91,090 | +54% | 70 | 495 |
| New York | $81,630 | +38% | 1,000 | 823 |
| Wisconsin | $81,020 | +37% | 120 | 1308 |
| Missouri | $80,330 | +36% | 190 | 1231 |
| West Virginia | $79,230 | +34% | 40 | 359 |
| New Jersey | $77,770 | +31% | 140 | 2555 |
| Tennessee | $76,920 | +30% | — | 802 |
| Ohio | $73,560 | +24% | 330 | 805 |
| Nebraska | $71,340 | +20% | — | 316 |
| Louisiana | $68,220 | +15% | 470 | 372 |
| Arizona | $67,010 | +13% | — | 669 |
| Kentucky | $65,210 | +10% | 130 | 642 |
| Indiana | $62,980 | +6% | 160 | 1307 |
| California | $61,440 | +4% | 1,660 | 1375 |
| Colorado | $61,220 | +3% | 400 | 963 |
| Maryland | $60,550 | +2% | — | 695 |
| Arkansas | $59,830 | +1% | 190 | 404 |
| Georgia | $59,390 | +0% | 170 | 568 |
| Virginia | $58,750 | -1% | 420 | 2435 |
| Alabama | $56,540 | -5% | 240 | 664 |
| Kansas | $54,750 | -8% | 40 | 515 |
| North Carolina | $51,510 | -13% | 200 | 1189 |
| Oklahoma | $50,910 | -14% | 150 | 249 |
| New Mexico | $50,750 | -14% | — | 99 |
| Utah | $49,990 | -16% | 280 | 436 |
| Texas | $49,150 | -17% | 3,530 | 1964 |
| South Carolina | $47,050 | -21% | 90 | 1114 |
| Wyoming | $46,000 | -22% | 40 | 143 |
| Florida | $44,780 | -24% | 620 | 1447 |
| Mississippi | $36,940 | -38% | 60 | 213 |
Ironworker Apprenticeship Overview
The Ironworker trade offers a median salary of $59,280/yr nationally, accessible through a 3-year apprenticeship that pays you while you train. It's one of the clearest earn-while-you-learn propositions in the American labor market.
Looking ahead, Ironworker employment is expected to grow 4.6% by 2034. About 1,500 openings per year — driven heavily by retirements in an aging workforce — keep demand for apprentices high.
The wage range for Ironworkers runs from $39,470 (entry-level markets) to $95,530 (experienced workers in top-paying states). Location, union membership, and specialization all push wages higher.