Ironworker Salary in Chicago
Metro area wage data for structural iron and steel workers from the BLS OEWS program, May 2025.
Wage figures reflect all ironworkers across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the area median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it.
Ironworkers Local 1 and Illinois prevailing wage anchor one of the Midwest's most active structural ironworker markets.
The Chicago metro ironworker market is covered by Local 1, with a long history in commercial and infrastructure construction across the metro. Illinois prevailing wage law applies to public construction, and the region's density of high-rise commercial, healthcare, and infrastructure projects sustains above-average demand. The Forest Park training center is the primary apprenticeship entry point.
- →Ironworkers Local 1 — structural, ornamental, and reinforcing coverage
- →Illinois Prevailing Wage Act covers public construction
- →Commercial high-rise and infrastructure construction sustaining demand
Ironworkers Local 1 journeyman ironworker Journey-Level Rate
Union scale reflects the Ironworkers Local 1 journeyman ironworker journey-level rate under the current collective bargaining agreement. The BLS area median reflects all ironworkers across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Iron Workers Local 1 Joint Apprenticeship Training Center |
| Address | 7720 Industrial Drive, Forest Park, IL 60130 |
| Phone | (708) 366-6695 |
| Minimum Score | No minimum |
Applying to Ironworkers Local 1?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to Ironworkers Local 1. See what to expect and how to prepare.
What to expect →All ironworkers — union and non-union, all experience levels
All ironworkers — union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.
| Annual Median Wage | $102,350 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $100,620 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $49.21 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $48.38 |
| Total Employed | 2,120 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates sourced directly from local collective bargaining agreements across the country's major construction markets. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 47-2221 (Structural Iron and Steel Workers) - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.