Ironworker Apprenticeship
Ironworkers erect the structural steel, rebar, and precast concrete that form the skeletons of buildings, bridges, and stadiums. The work is high, physical, and schedule-driven — big crews setting thousands of tons of steel on a tight sequence.
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. Click any state to see registered sponsors and local programs.
| State | Median Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $106,340 | 320 |
| Illinois | $102,260 | 100 |
| Nevada | $100,100 | 470 |
| Oregon | $91,150 | 370 |
| Minnesota | $91,090 | 70 |
| New York | $81,630 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $81,020 | 120 |
| Missouri | $80,330 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $79,230 | 40 |
| New Jersey | $77,770 | 140 |
| Tennessee | $76,920 | — |
| Ohio | $73,560 | 330 |
| Nebraska | $71,340 | — |
| Louisiana | $68,220 | 470 |
| Arizona | $67,010 | — |
| Kentucky | $65,210 | 130 |
| Indiana | $62,980 | 160 |
| California | $61,440 | 1,660 |
| Colorado | $61,220 | 400 |
| Maryland | $60,550 | — |
| Arkansas | $59,830 | 190 |
| Georgia | $59,390 | 170 |
| Virginia | $58,750 | 420 |
| Alabama | $56,540 | 240 |
| Kansas | $54,750 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $51,510 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $50,910 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $50,750 | — |
| Utah | $49,990 | 280 |
| Texas | $49,150 | 3,530 |
| South Carolina | $47,050 | 90 |
| Wyoming | $46,000 | 40 |
| Florida | $44,780 | 620 |
| Mississippi | $36,940 | 60 |
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.