What is the best city for ironworkers?

After cost of living, the Trenton–Princeton, NJ area: the median of $116,360 a year buys about what $112,770 would at average U.S. prices.

Which city pays ironworkers the most?

Before adjusting for prices, the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH area has the highest median, $120,840. After cost of living it ranks 2nd of 133.

What is the best big city for ironworkers?

Among the 20 metro areas with the most ironworkers, the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH area, 2nd overall: its median of $120,840 buys what $111,610 would nationally.

Where does ironworker pay go the least far?

Of the 133 metro areas ranked, the Ocala, FL area, where the median of $33,770 buys about what $35,460 would nationally.

Which cities are included?

The 133 metro areas where BLS publishes a median for ironworkers and at least 50 of them work. Smaller metros and rural areas are on each state's ironworker pay page.

How is cost of living adjusted?

We divide each metro's median by its Regional Price Parity from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024), where the U.S. average is 100. A metro with prices 10% above average (110) has its median divided by 1.10.

Best-paying cities for ironworkers

Updated September 27, 2026

After adjusting for cost of living, the Trenton–Princeton, NJ area is the best-paying metro for ironworkers: its median of $116,360 a year buys what $112,770 would nationally, according to May 2025 BLS wages and BEA 2024 price levels. By raw pay, the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH area leads at $120,840, but its prices drop it to 2nd of 133. Among the 20 metros with the most ironworkers, the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH area ranks highest (2nd overall).

Top 50 metro areas, after cost of living

#	Metro area	After cost of living	Median pay	Price level	Jobs
1	Trenton–PrincetonNJ · $116,360 median · prices 103.2	$112,770	$116,360	103.2	70
2	Boston–Cambridge–NewtonMA-NH · $120,840 median · prices 108.3	$111,610	$120,840	108.3	1,310
3	RockfordIL · $100,290 median · prices 92.2	$108,830	$100,290	92.2	190
4	AppletonWI · $93,960 median · prices 92.4	$101,670	$93,960	92.4	80
5	Philadelphia–Camden–WilmingtonPA-NJ-DE-MD · $103,330 median · prices 102.6	$100,760	$103,330	102.6	800
6	Seattle–Tacoma–BellevueWA · $111,440 median · prices 111.1	$100,280	$111,440	111.1	450
7	San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa ClaraCA · $109,440 median · prices 110.4	$99,110	$109,440	110.4	330
8	Chicago–Naperville–ElginIL-IN · $102,350 median · prices 103.6	$98,800	$102,350	103.6	2,120
9	Milwaukee–WaukeshaWI · $95,730 median · prices 96.9	$98,750	$95,730	96.9	240
10	VallejoCA · $106,900 median · prices 108.5	$98,540	$106,900	108.5	150
11	Providence–WarwickRI-MA · $98,320 median · prices 101.8	$96,610	$98,320	101.8	640
12	MadisonWI · $92,460 median · prices 97.3	$95,040	$92,460	97.3	70
13	Minneapolis–St. Paul–BloomingtonMN-WI · $97,810 median · prices 104.8	$93,310	$97,810	104.8	750
14	Portland–Vancouver–HillsboroOR-WA · $98,120 median · prices 105.4	$93,070	$98,120	105.4	410
15	FargoND-MN · $83,200 median · prices 90.9	$91,560	$83,200	90.9	170
16	New York–Newark–Jersey CityNY-NJ · $102,060 median · prices 112.6	$90,670	$102,060	112.6	2,300
17	Davenport–Moline–Rock IslandIA-IL · $79,090 median · prices 89.1	$88,790	$79,090	89.1	90
18	Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–NewburghNY · $97,150 median · prices 109.4	$88,780	$97,150	109.4	150
19	PeoriaIL · $80,060 median · prices 91.2	$87,760	$80,060	91.2	90
20	PittsburghPA · $82,860 median · prices 94.7	$87,520	$82,860	94.7	370
21	ChicoCA · $88,070 median · prices 101.2	$87,030	$88,070	101.2	50
22	Scranton––Wilkes–BarrePA · $80,540 median · prices 93.6	$86,090	$80,540	93.6	70
23	St. LouisMO-IL · $81,640 median · prices 95.1	$85,860	$81,640	95.1	670
24	Cedar RapidsIA · $75,380 median · prices 89.0	$84,730	$75,380	89.0	80
25	SpringfieldMO · $74,330 median · prices 88.6	$83,910	$74,330	88.6	50
26	Kansas CityMO-KS · $77,570 median · prices 92.5	$83,820	$77,570	92.5	380
27	Allentown–Bethlehem–EastonPA-NJ · $83,630 median · prices 100.0	$83,660	$83,630	100.0	150
28	BellinghamWA · $86,120 median · prices 103.3	$83,340	$86,120	103.3	50
29	EvansvilleIN · $76,090 median · prices 91.5	$83,130	$76,090	91.5	180
30	Spokane–Spokane ValleyWA · $82,660 median · prices 100.3	$82,370	$82,660	100.3	120
31	Florence–Muscle ShoalsAL · $69,530 median · prices 84.8	$81,980	$69,530	84.8	60
32	AkronOH · $76,330 median · prices 93.4	$81,750	$76,330	93.4	210
33	ToledoOH · $74,710 median · prices 91.5	$81,690	$74,710	91.5	220
34	ClevelandOH · $76,060 median · prices 93.9	$80,980	$76,060	93.9	380
35	OmahaNE-IA · $74,430 median · prices 91.9	$80,980	$74,430	91.9	380
36	Baton RougeLA · $73,470 median · prices 90.8	$80,930	$73,470	90.8	390
37	ColumbusOH · $76,920 median · prices 95.5	$80,570	$76,920	95.5	370
38	Dayton–Kettering–BeavercreekOH · $74,650 median · prices 92.7	$80,530	$74,650	92.7	90
39	Buffalo–CheektowagaNY · $76,420 median · prices 95.8	$79,730	$76,420	95.8	210
40	CincinnatiOH-KY-IN · $75,700 median · prices 95.4	$79,380	$75,700	95.4	480
41	South Bend–MishawakaIN-MI · $73,640 median · prices 92.9	$79,300	$73,640	92.9	50
42	Boise CityID · $77,940 median · prices 98.4	$79,210	$77,940	98.4	200
43	RochesterNY · $76,220 median · prices 97.0	$78,550	$76,220	97.0	110
44	FresnoCA · $80,110 median · prices 102.2	$78,420	$80,110	102.2	180
45	Albany–Schenectady–TroyNY · $77,110 median · prices 99.6	$77,450	$77,110	99.6	150
46	LancasterPA · $74,950 median · prices 98.3	$76,280	$74,950	98.3	140
47	San Francisco–Oakland–FremontCA · $87,340 median · prices 115.6	$75,550	$87,340	115.6	800
48	SyracuseNY · $71,810 median · prices 95.7	$75,000	$71,810	95.7	80
49	Louisville/Jefferson CountyKY-IN · $69,280 median · prices 93.1	$74,440	$69,280	93.1	310
50	BillingsMT · $69,030 median · prices 93.5	$73,810	$69,030	93.5	60

See all 133 metro areas

#	Metro area	After cost of living	Median pay	Price level	Jobs
51	Indianapolis–Carmel–GreenwoodIN · $70,140 median · prices 95.7	$73,290	$70,140	95.7	1,110
52	JoplinMO-KS · $62,600 median · prices 85.7	$73,030	$62,600	85.7	90
53	AnchorageAK · $76,970 median · prices 105.4	$73,010	$76,970	105.4	90
54	Fort WayneIN · $67,530 median · prices 92.6	$72,950	$67,530	92.6	190
55	Sacramento–Roseville–FolsomCA · $77,760 median · prices 106.7	$72,900	$77,760	106.7	450
56	ModestoCA · $75,820 median · prices 104.1	$72,830	$75,820	104.1	100
57	Stockton–LodiCA · $74,890 median · prices 105.1	$71,260	$74,890	105.1	170
58	Santa Rosa–PetalumaCA · $75,380 median · prices 107.8	$69,940	$75,380	107.8	60
59	Bakersfield–DelanoCA · $70,400 median · prices 100.9	$69,780	$70,400	100.9	120
60	Elkhart–GoshenIN · $62,390 median · prices 90.3	$69,070	$62,390	90.3	80
61	Los Angeles–Long Beach–AnaheimCA · $78,040 median · prices 113.6	$68,720	$78,040	113.6	2,150
62	Riverside–San Bernardino–OntarioCA · $72,790 median · prices 106.4	$68,380	$72,790	106.4	1,120
63	Grand Rapids–Wyoming–KentwoodMI · $65,250 median · prices 95.5	$68,290	$65,250	95.5	230
64	San Diego–Chula Vista–CarlsbadCA · $76,400 median · prices 111.9	$68,280	$76,400	111.9	740
65	Baltimore–Columbia–TowsonMD · $71,200 median · prices 104.5	$68,140	$71,200	104.5	300
66	ChattanoogaTN-GA · $61,880 median · prices 91.5	$67,660	$61,880	91.5	150
67	TuscaloosaAL · $59,230 median · prices 87.7	$67,520	$59,230	87.7	100
68	KnoxvilleTN · $61,250 median · prices 92.6	$66,170	$61,250	92.6	130
69	Sioux FallsSD-MN · $59,200 median · prices 90.6	$65,320	$59,200	90.6	200
70	WichitaKS · $58,100 median · prices 88.9	$65,320	$58,100	88.9	90
71	AmarilloTX · $59,610 median · prices 91.8	$64,920	$59,610	91.8	60
72	BirminghamAL · $59,180 median · prices 91.6	$64,580	$59,180	91.6	550
73	DecaturAL · $56,220 median · prices 87.2	$64,460	$56,220	87.2	70
74	Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––FranklinTN · $61,890 median · prices 96.3	$64,240	$61,890	96.3	400
75	Beaumont–Port ArthurTX · $57,220 median · prices 90.0	$63,550	$57,220	90.0	310
76	LincolnNE · $57,900 median · prices 91.6	$63,220	$57,900	91.6	130
77	LynchburgVA · $56,440 median · prices 89.4	$63,160	$56,440	89.4	70
78	Hartford–West Hartford–East HartfordCT · $64,850 median · prices 102.7	$63,120	$64,850	102.7	140
79	Washington–Arlington–AlexandriaDC-VA-MD-WV · $68,320 median · prices 108.9	$62,750	$68,320	108.9	1,060
80	Detroit–Warren–DearbornMI · $62,870 median · prices 100.3	$62,680	$62,870	100.3	930
81	Portland–South PortlandME · $63,730 median · prices 101.9	$62,570	$63,730	101.9	80
82	Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las VegasNV · $62,510 median · prices 100.2	$62,380	$62,510	100.2	910
83	Corpus ChristiTX · $57,440 median · prices 92.7	$61,980	$57,440	92.7	330
84	Fort Collins–LovelandCO · $62,670 median · prices 101.1	$61,970	$62,670	101.1	60
85	SaginawMI · $56,300 median · prices 90.9	$61,940	$56,300	90.9	100
86	Augusta–Richmond CountyGA-SC · $56,900 median · prices 91.9	$61,910	$56,900	91.9	80
87	Sherman–DenisonTX · $57,720 median · prices 93.8	$61,550	$57,720	93.8	60
88	Austin–Round Rock–San MarcosTX · $59,980 median · prices 98.1	$61,160	$59,980	98.1	710
89	Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond BeachFL · $60,740 median · prices 99.4	$61,130	$60,740	99.4	50
90	Port St. LucieFL · $61,120 median · prices 100.2	$60,980	$61,120	100.2	50
91	HarrisonburgVA · $57,720 median · prices 94.9	$60,830	$57,720	94.9	50
92	Salt Lake City–MurrayUT · $60,580 median · prices 100.9	$60,060	$60,580	100.9	780
93	Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–NorfolkVA-NC · $58,630 median · prices 97.9	$59,860	$58,630	97.9	700
94	New HavenCT · $62,400 median · prices 104.6	$59,680	$62,400	104.6	80
95	TulsaOK · $53,190 median · prices 89.2	$59,620	$53,190	89.2	270
96	Durham–Chapel HillNC · $57,810 median · prices 97.6	$59,250	$57,810	97.6	100
97	GreeleyCO · $59,100 median · prices 100.2	$59,000	$59,100	100.2	80
98	Provo–Orem–LehiUT · $57,960 median · prices 98.2	$59,000	$57,960	98.2	320
99	Houston–Pasadena–The WoodlandsTX · $58,030 median · prices 98.6	$58,840	$58,030	98.6	3,000
100	Phoenix–Mesa–ChandlerAZ · $59,540 median · prices 103.3	$57,630	$59,540	103.3	3,470
101	Greenville–Anderson–GreerSC · $53,450 median · prices 93.3	$57,310	$53,450	93.3	150
102	Charleston–North CharlestonSC · $57,780 median · prices 101.0	$57,230	$57,780	101.0	100
103	Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–VenturaCA · $63,150 median · prices 110.5	$57,130	$63,150	110.5	50
104	Denver–Aurora–CentennialCO · $60,080 median · prices 105.8	$56,800	$60,080	105.8	480
105	Manchester–NashuaNH · $59,920 median · prices 105.7	$56,710	$59,920	105.7	120
106	TucsonAZ · $54,770 median · prices 96.9	$56,520	$54,770	96.9	230
107	OgdenUT · $56,420 median · prices 100.3	$56,220	$56,420	100.3	260
108	Colorado SpringsCO · $55,690 median · prices 100.7	$55,300	$55,690	100.7	70
109	Rapid CitySD · $49,100 median · prices 89.2	$55,070	$49,100	89.2	170
110	Houma–Bayou Cane–ThibodauxLA · $46,800 median · prices 85.1	$54,990	$46,800	85.1	90
111	MemphisTN-MS-AR · $50,390 median · prices 92.2	$54,670	$50,390	92.2	240
112	ColumbiaSC · $50,510 median · prices 93.7	$53,930	$50,510	93.7	100
113	Greensboro–High PointNC · $49,490 median · prices 92.9	$53,290	$49,490	92.9	170
114	San Antonio–New BraunfelsTX · $50,120 median · prices 94.7	$52,920	$50,120	94.7	510
115	Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm BeachFL · $60,270 median · prices 114.2	$52,800	$60,270	114.2	890
116	Oklahoma CityOK · $47,330 median · prices 90.4	$52,350	$47,330	90.4	470
117	Little Rock–North Little Rock–ConwayAR · $46,660 median · prices 89.4	$52,210	$46,660	89.4	310
118	Dallas–Fort Worth–ArlingtonTX · $53,600 median · prices 103.1	$51,990	$53,600	103.1	2,850
119	Fayetteville–Springdale–RogersAR · $47,390 median · prices 91.4	$51,880	$47,390	91.4	200
120	Winston–SalemNC · $47,730 median · prices 92.0	$51,860	$47,730	92.0	160
121	Lake Havasu City–KingmanAZ · $48,350 median · prices 94.1	$51,380	$48,350	94.1	70
122	New Orleans–MetairieLA · $47,530 median · prices 92.6	$51,330	$47,530	92.6	100
123	LoganUT-ID · $48,510 median · prices 95.9	$50,570	$48,510	95.9	50
124	AbileneTX · $45,680 median · prices 90.4	$50,550	$45,680	90.4	80
125	St. GeorgeUT · $48,970 median · prices 97.3	$50,320	$48,970	97.3	70
126	McAllen–Edinburg–MissionTX · $42,710 median · prices 85.9	$49,720	$42,710	85.9	60
127	Charlotte–Concord–GastoniaNC-SC · $48,290 median · prices 97.3	$49,610	$48,290	97.3	550
128	WacoTX · $45,590 median · prices 92.5	$49,260	$45,590	92.5	50
129	TylerTX · $45,030 median · prices 92.2	$48,860	$45,030	92.2	80
130	Tampa–St. Petersburg–ClearwaterFL · $48,720 median · prices 100.9	$48,290	$48,720	100.9	320
131	Atlanta–Sandy Springs–RoswellGA · $48,090 median · prices 100.1	$48,060	$48,090	100.1	620
132	Orlando–Kissimmee–SanfordFL · $48,400 median · prices 101.4	$47,720	$48,400	101.4	310
133	OcalaFL · $33,770 median · prices 95.2	$35,460	$33,770	95.2	90

Price level: BEA Regional Price Parity, U.S. average = 100. Every metro links to its full ironworker pay page. By state: best states for ironworkers.

How we ranked them

Each metro area's median annual wage for structural iron and steel workers (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2221) divided by its Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity for 2024 (all items, U.S. = 100), then ranked. Metros are included when BLS publishes a median and at least 50 ironworkers work there. Wages exclude self-employed ironworkers. Methodology

Questions

What is the best city for ironworkers?: After cost of living, the Trenton–Princeton, NJ area: the median of $116,360 a year buys about what $112,770 would at average U.S. prices.
Which city pays ironworkers the most?: Before adjusting for prices, the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH area has the highest median, $120,840. After cost of living it ranks 2nd of 133.
What is the best big city for ironworkers?: Among the 20 metro areas with the most ironworkers, the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA-NH area, 2nd overall: its median of $120,840 buys what $111,610 would nationally.
Where does ironworker pay go the least far?: Of the 133 metro areas ranked, the Ocala, FL area, where the median of $33,770 buys about what $35,460 would nationally.
Which cities are included?: The 133 metro areas where BLS publishes a median for ironworkers and at least 50 of them work. Smaller metros and rural areas are on each state's ironworker pay page.
How is cost of living adjusted?: We divide each metro's median by its Regional Price Parity from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (2024), where the U.S. average is 100. A metro with prices 10% above average (110) has its median divided by 1.10.